Eterna
! Quarter
970
Sabbath
School
Lesson
Quarterly
Senior Division, No. 299, First QUarter, 1970
4
INDEX
LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER
1.
Our Father-God
2.
Christ Our Saviour
3.
At Peace With God
4.
The Kingdom of Grace
5.
The Sinner Justified
6.
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
7.
Confidence in God
8.
Love, the Crowning Virtue
9.
Obedience Through Christ
10.
Christian Maturity
11.
The Return of Our Lord
12.
The Gift of Immortality
13.
The Kingdom of Glory
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 299, January-March, 1970. 40 cents a single copy, $1.50 a
year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the
U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, Moun-
tain View, California 94040. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California.
Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new
addresses.
Copyright, 1969, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Cover art by Ken Gunall; P.P.P.A.
The Blessing of Daily Study
"He who by faith receives the Word is receiving the
very life and character of God. Every seed brings forth
fruit after its kind. . . . Receive into the soul by faith the
incorruptible seed of the Word, and it will bring forth a
character and a life after the similitude of the character
and the life of
God."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 38.
"Appreciation of the Bible grows with its study."—
Ibid.,
p. 132.
"God will make the most precious revelations to His
hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is
a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His Word, they
find that it is spirit and life. The Word destroys the
natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ
Jesus."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 391.
"The neglect of the Word means starvation to the soul."
—Counsels on Sabbath School Work,
page 44.
My Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge
of the Scriptures, I pledge myself to the careful and prayer-
ful study of some portion of my Sabbath School lesson each
day of the week.
(signed)
The Way
to Lille Eternal!
First Quarter, 1970
A knowledge of the way to life eternal is vital to times like these. The
great old themes of the New Testament are here presented in a new format
to show forth the strait pathway in an easy-reading guide.
This unique lesson presentation, combining statement, exposition, ques-
tion, and application, has been prepared to enable you to gain the most from
your time spent in the study of the Word. This new format makes it possible
for one who may have as little as two minutes for study to glance over a page
of the lesson and grasp the theme and main thought for the day. With the
help of the "second-mile" suggestions given at the end of each lesson, this
new format lends itself to several hours of intensive study and reflection.
Each day's outline begins with a passage of Scripture which gives the
prime thought for that section of the lesson. This enables you to have before
you the key text for the day's meditation while you are leafing through your
Bible looking up the other references cited in the exploratory material.
Some other features that are intended for your study convenience are:
1.
The wide margins and space between paragraphs for jotting in your
own ideas or questions for the class discussion.
2.
The "Think It Through" questions to give opportunity to make per-
sonal "life situation" applications of the lesson.
Before you participate in the Sabbath School lesson discussion, you are
encouraged to complete the summary page found at the end of each lesson.
We hope that these simple questions will bring to your mind the thoughts
you have gained during this week's study that will make your contribution
to the class discussion relevent to today's needs.
"The mind must be stored with pure principles. Truth must be graven on
the tablets of the soul. The memory must be filled with the precious truths
of the Word. Then, like beautiful gems, these truths will flash out in the
life."—Messages to Young People,
page 69.
4
January 3
OUR FATHER GOD 1
LESSON 1
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should
be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew
Him not." 1 John 3:1.
The aim of this study is to increase our
understanding of God's fatherhood and our
sonship. God's love for His children found
fullest expression after Christ's birth. The
Saviour revealed His love as it had not been
known before, and the disciples preached
it as a major part of their teaching. Today
the child of God gladly proclaims that God
is a Father to each believer.
KEY THOUGHTS
1.
God Knows and Cares.
The Archi-
tect of the universe knows its myriad stars
and maintains each in its appointed course.
The same Infinite One has given us life and
being and desires us to accept Him as the
Architect of our lives.
2.
Love Constrains God.
God provides
for the welfare and happiness of the crea-
tures of His hand. When His earthborn
children fell under the blight of sin He
provided for their full and complete res-
toration.
3.
Divine Love Constrains Us.
The
love of God constrains us to reflect His in-
finite love and to cooperate with Him in the
restoration of our lives.
4.
Our Privileges and Responsibili-
ties.
God invites us to have confidence in
His beneficent purposes, to enter upon the
privileges He accords erring members of
His earthborn family, and to accept respon-
sibilities befitting sons and daughters of the
Eternal One.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The New Name
Luke 11:2
2.
The Father Revealed in Christ
John 14:8-10
3.
The Privilege of Sonship
1 John 3:1, 2
4.
The Discipline of Sonship
Heb. 12:5-7, 11
5.
The Father's Love
Rom. 8:35-39
6.
Approaching the Father
John 4:23, 24
5
Our Father-God
LESSON 1
❑
Sunday
"And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in
earth."
In Old Testament times God had been so misrepresented
that the common people looked upon Him as an exacting,
harsh judge with no feeling of compassion for His children.
Desiring to remove this misconception and to restore again
the confidence of men in the great love of God, Christ began
His ideal prayer with the words, "Our Father."
While God is the common Father of all mankind by virtue
of creation (see Mal. 2:10; Acts 17:28), in a special sense He
is a Father only to the saints. Only a true believer in Him can
be called a child of God, and only a true child can address God
as Father. "But if you call God your Father you acknowledge
yourselves His children, to be guided by His wisdom and to
be obedient in all things, knowing that His love is changeless.
You will accept His plan for your
life."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
page 105.
How personal an interest does our heavenly Father take
in His children on earth? Matt. 10:29-31.
Since God is willing to be called our Father, we can there-
fore expect that He will take a personal interest in us. See Matt.
He gladly gives us that which is good. Luke 11:11-13. As a
good Father, He will do all He can to save us. Mal. 3:17.
What is the supreme evidence of God's paternal love?
1 John 4:8-10.
Part 1
THE NEW NAME
Luke 11:2
THINK IT THROUGH What other names could appropriately be applied to God
the Father?
"In order to strengthen our confi-
dence in God, Christ teaches us to ad-
dress Him by a new name, a name
entwined with the dearest associations
of the human heart. He gives us the
privilege of calling the infinite God our
Father. This name, spoken to Him and
of Him, is a sign of our love and trust
toward Him, and a pledge of His re-
6
gard and relationship to us. Spoken
when asking His favor or blessing, it
is as music in His ears. That we might
not think it presumption to call Him by
this name, He has repeated it again
and again. He desires us to be-
come familiar with the appellation."—
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 141,
142.
Our Father
-
God
LESSON 1
❑
Monday
Part 2
"Philip saith unto Him, Lord, show us the Father, and
it sufficeth us.
THE FATHER
"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with
REVEALED IN you, and yet host thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath
CHRIST seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then,
Show us the Father?
"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the
Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not
of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth
John 14:8-10 the works."
Near the close of His ministry Jesus told the disciples of His
soon coming death and how He would return again to this
earth after His ascension to take them home with Him. John
13:31 to 14:3. But the disciples were slow to comprehend.
Grappling with his doubts, Philip said, "If you are going away,
then give us some crowning demonstration. 'Lord, show us
the Father, and it sufficeth us.' "
How did Christ answer Philip? Verse 9.
It is only as we behold Jesus Christ that our eyes are
opened to see beyond to our Father-God. "Only He who knew
the height and depth of the love of God could make it known."
—The Desire of Ages,
page 22.
How is the Father's love as revealed in Christ impressed
upon our hearts today? Rom. 5:5; Gal. 4:6.
THINK IT THROUGH Is there any other way to know God than through Jesus
Christ? Matt. 11:27; John 14:6.
"God has bound our hearts to Him by
unnumbered tokens in heaven and in
earth. Through the things of nature,
and the deepest and tenderest earthly
ties that human hearts can know, He
has sought to reveal Himself to us. Yet
these but imperfectly represent His love.
Though all these evidences have been
given, the enemy of good blinded the
minds of men, so that they looked upon
God with fear; they thought of Him as
severe and unforgiving. Satan led men
to conceive of God as a being whose
chief attribute is stern justice,—one who
is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting
creditor. He pictured the Creator as a
being who is watching with jealous eye
to discern the errors and mistakes of
men, that He may visit judgments upon
them. It was to remove this dark
shadow, by revealing to the world the
infinite rove of God, that Jesus came to
live among men."—"Steps to Christ,"
pages 10, 11.
7
Our Father
-
God
LESSON 1
0
Tuesday
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath be-
stowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of
God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew
Him not.
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not
yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when
He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see
Him as He is."
What an astonishing passage this is. We who by nature are
sinful and under the curse of God and who in times past have
been disobedient, unthankful, and unholy are pronounced the
sons of God. John cannot help but say, "Behold, what manner
of love !" It is beyond comprehension that the holy God is not
ashamed to be called our Father and to call us His sons.
John here uses the phrase "sons of God" to describe the
new relationship between God and the one who is born again.
The same Greek expression is translated as "children of God"
in verse 10 and in 1 John 5:2. This relationship is a gift which
is "bestowed upon us." Verse 1. In mutual relationships be-
tween friends one party contributes as much as the other, but
in the new birth God gives all and with thanksgiving we re-
ceive all.
What privilege awaits the child of God? Verse 2, last part.
How may we enter upon this new relationship with God?
John 1:12, 13.
"The thange of heart _by- which we become children of God
is in the Bi6le spoken
-
gLas
"It is only through the
-
life which God Himself has im-
parted, that either plant or animal can live. So it is only
through the life from God that spiritual life is begotten in the
hearts of
men."—Steps to Christ,
page 67.
Part 3
THE PRIVILEGE
OF SONSHIP
1 John 3:1, 2
THINK IT THROUGH How can a child of God express his love to his Father?
"God stands toward His people in
the relation of a father, and He has a
father's claim to our faithful service."
-"Christ's Object Lessons," page 282.
"The more vie
r
st
-
ud9.the divine char-
acter in the light
-
Ofthe"cross, the more
we see mercy, tenderness, and forgive-
8
ness blended with equity and justice,
and the more clearly we discern innu-
merable evidences of a love that is
infinite and a tender pity surpassing a
mother's yearning sympathy for her
wayward child."-"Steps to Christ,"
page 15.
Our Father-God
LESSON 1
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
"My son, despise net thou the chastening of the Lord,
nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him:
THE DISCIPLINE
"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and sceurg-
OF SONSHIP eth every son whom He receiveth.
"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as
with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth
not?"
"Now no chastening for the present seeineth to be
joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth
the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are
Heb. 12:5-7, 11
exercised thereby."
In
Hebrews 12:5, 6 Paul quotes an Old Testament passage
to remind his readers that trials are not inconsistent with the
love of God. See Prov. 3:11, 12. Only a father who is deeply
concerned about his children will chasten them when he feels
it necessary. Children without a loving father do not receive
the benefit of discipline.
The word translated_lfchastening" means "upbringing,"
"training," "instructionA,"discipline" and refers to the whole
process by which childreriare—prepared for the responsibilities
of adult life. In verse 7 the ancient manuscripts read, "Endure
unto chastening!" Knowing what is best for us, God calls
upon us to submit to the training that is necessary that we
may become mature Christians.
What privilege is accorded the one who endures God's
chastening? Verse 7.
What is the end result of divine discipline? Verse 11.
THINK IT THROUGH How does divine discipline differ from the suffering and
disappointments that come to every individual?
"If received in faith, the trial that
seems so bitter and hard to bear will
prove a blessing. The cruel blow that
blights the joys of earth will be the
means of turning our eyes to heaven.
How many there are who would never
have known Jesus had not sorrow led
them to seek comfort in Him!
"The trials of life are God's work-
men, to remove the impurities and
roughness from our character. Their
hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their
burnishing and polishing, is a painful
process; it is hard to be pressed down
to the
grinding
wheel. But the stone is
brought forth prepared to fill its place
in the heavenly temple. Upon no use-
less material does the Master bestow
such careful, thorough work. Only His
precious stones are polished after the
similitude of a palace."—"Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing," page 10.
9
Our Father-God
LESSON 1
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
THE
nakedness, or peril, or sword?
FATHER'S
"As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the
LOVE day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him that loved us.
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present,
nor things to come,
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall
be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Rom. 8:35-39 Christ Jesus our Lord."
These are words in which every Christian should immerse
his soul. Paul asks the question: "Will anything ever make
God cease to love us?" The answer is obvious. The Father of
the universe could never forsake His children. There can never
be a situation which would diminish God's feelings for us. God
is not only loving and eternal, but He is "greater than all,"
and "no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."
John 10:29.
Through whom is God's love demonstrated? Verse 39.
What does God intend that His love, operating through
Christ, shall do for us? 2 Cor. 5:14.
The word translated "constraineth" means "impels," "con-
trols." As an automatic pilot controls an airplane on a pre-
determined course, so Christ will control the person who has
chosen to be guided by His love. Compare Rom. 8:3, 4.
THINK IT THROUGH What evidence have I been given of God's love?
"Neither life nor death, height nor
depth, can separate us from the love
of God which is in Christ
Jesus;
not be-
cause we hold Him so firmly, but be-
cause He holds us so fast. If our salva-
tion depended on our own efforts, we
could not be saved; but it depends on
10
the One who is behind all the prom-
ises. Our grasp on Him may seem fee-
ble, but His love is that of an elder
brother; so long as we maintain our
union with Him, no one can pluck us
out of His hand."—"The Acts of the
Apostles," page 553.
Our Father-God
LESSON 1
p Friday
Part 6
APPROACHING
THE FATHER
John 4:23, 24
"j le\
Is
THINK IT THROUGH
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor-
shipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for
the Father seeketh such to worship Him.
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must wor-
ship Him in spirit and in truth."
These words are part of Christ's answer to the_woman who
questioned Him concerning the proper place to‘"viir
-
siiitt
, God.
See. John 4:6-22. It is not
where
but
how
we approach God
that really matters. Since God is a Spirit, He can be found any
place at any time, but only when we come to Him in "spirit
and in truth." "That is, in all sincerity, with the highest fac-
ulties of the mind and emotions, applying the principles of
truth to the heart (see on Matt. 5:3, 48; 7:21-27; Mark 7:6-9).
This is genuine worship, Jesus says; all else is false."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on John 4:23.
Does the Father welcome worship? Verse 23, last part.
"Salvation is not the result of men's feeble efforts at seek-
ing out an indifferent God, but of the unwearied efforts of a
heavenly Father who, with solicitous compassion, seeks for His
lost children."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on John 4:23.
What advice does Paul give those approaching the
Father? Heb. 4:16.
In the Old Testament sanctuary service the high priest drew
near to God on the Day of Atonement, and the people stood
afar off. In Christ the people draw near to God themselves.
Under the old system they were told, "Let him not approach."
Lev. 21:17. Under the new covenant Christ's followers are ad-
vised, "Let us draw near with a true heart." Heb. 10:22.
Is worship for God's benefit or for ours?
"Not by seeking a holy mountain or
a sacred temple are men brought into
communion with heaven. Religion is
not to be confined to external forms and
ceremonies. The religion that comes
from God is the only religion that will
lead to God. In order to serve Him
aright, we must be born of the divine
Spirit. This will purify the heart and
renew the mind, giving us a new ca-
pacity for knowing and loving God. It
will give us a willing obedience to all
His requirements. This is true worship.
It is the fruit of the working of the Holy
Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer
is indited, and such prayer is acceptable
to God. Wherever a soul reaches out
after God, there the Spirit's working is
manifest, and God will reveal Himself
to that soul. For such worshipers He is
seeking. He waits to receive them, and
to make them His sons and daughters."
—"The Desire of Ages," page 189.
11
Our Father-God
LESSON 1
Part 7 G SUMMARY QUESTIONS
0
A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
What new name did Jesus give for God)
2.
What was the supreme demonstration of the Father's love to us)
3.
Complete: "For the love of Christ
)1
4.
What name for the Christian did the apostle John use to describe the
new relationship)
5.
Complete: "They that worship Him must worship Him in
6.
The word "chastening" as used in the New Testament means (A)
punishment, (B) correction, (C) penalization, (D) training.
(The answers are at the bottom of the page.)
Tie SECOND tgalS
0 DAILY STUDY HELPS
(Etch week this section will contain suggested readings for the student seto
wishes to spend a few extra moments with the Master each day.)
S
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 139-142. (1923 ed., pages 137-141.)
M
"The Desire of Ages," pages 19-22.
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 279-283. (1923 ed., pages 281-285.)
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 9-13, 31-35. (1943
ed., pages 22-28, 53-58.)
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 103-106. (1943 ed.,
pages 154-156.)
"Steps to Christ," pages 9-15. ("God's Love for Man.")
•
cr
(9)
!gull;
uc pue Ip!ds
(s)
!pop jo
uaippto (k) :sn tpau!eilsuo3 (s) :sn ioj twea spi4 04 uos eq./ 4ues (z) tialped ano (1) :siantsuy
12
January 10
/
I
CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR
2
LESSON 2
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in
the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, be-
lieved on in the world, received up into glory." 1 Tim. 3:16.
The purpose of this study is to give a
deeper understanding of Christ's superna-
tural birth, His exemplary life, vicarious
death, resurrection, and ascension, and how
these affect the life of every individual.
Realizing that there are insoluble mysteries
concerning the nature of Christ, we should
enter into our study with a positive em-
phasis on things that have been revealed,
and a reverent reserve when we pass into
unknown realms.
KEY THOUGHTS
Each of the five major phases of the
earthly life of the Saviour represents an
essential aspect of the plan of salvation.
These five are:
1.
The Incarnation.
Sin estranged man
from his Creator, thus severing his connec-
tion with the source of life. The reunion of
divinity with humanity at Christ's birth
makes it possible for our humanity to be
united with divinity by the new birth.
2.
A Perfect Life.
The Saviour's life on
earth was a perfect example of submission
to the Father. Through the Holy Spirit He
imparts power to us to follow that exam-
ple. The process of learning to do so we
call sanctification.
3.
A Vicarious Death.
On Calvary
Christ died in our stead, and by virtue of
His death we have access through faith to
His saving grace. Accepting this gift, we
experience justification.
4.
A Triumphant Resurrection.
Christ's
triumph over death is our assurance of the
resurrection and of life everlasting.
5.
A Glorious Ascension.
Christ as-
cended to heaven to complete the work
of salvation, thereby enabling us to pre-
pare for translation.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The God-man
John 1:1-3, 14
2.
His Mission to Earth
John 10:9, 10
3.
Victorious Life
1 Peter 2:21-23
4.
Vicarious Death
Rom. 5:8-11
5.
From Grave to Glory
1 Cor. 15:19-22
6.
His Priestly Work
Heb. 4:14-16
13
Christ Our Saviour
LESSON 2
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God.
THE
"The same was in the beginning with God.
GOD-MAN
"All things were made by Him; and without Him was
not anything made that was made."
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Be-
John 1:1-3, 14 gotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
This portion of Scripture describes the mystery of the in-
carnation of Jesus Christ. With strong, majestic lines John
portrays the supreme event of all ages, the invasion of this
planet by God Himself wrapped in the outward form of a
child. See Luke 2:7-14. This event fulfilled the prophecy of
Isaiah: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and
shall call His name Immanuel." Isa. 7:14. Matthew quotes this
prophecy and defines the name Immanuel: "Which being in-
terpreted is, God with us." Matt. 1:23.
"God with us." What beautiful, mysterious, unexplainable
words! In Christ two natures, the divine and the human, were
mysteriously blended into one person. He became one of a
kind, a God-man, the only being that ever has or ever will
be such. Surely, "the limited capacity of man cannot define
this wonderful mystery—the blending of the two natures, the
divine and the human. It can never be explained. Man must
wonder and be silent."—Ellen G. White Comments,
SDA Bible
Commentary,
Vol. 7, p. 904.
How full and complete was the deity of the incarnate
Christ? John 1:1. See also Col.
1:15-19; 2:9;
Heb. 1:1-3, 8.
How full and complete was the humanity of the incarnate
Christ? John 1:14. See also Heb. 2:14, 17; Phil. 2:5-8.
Sin alienated man from his Creator, severing his connection
with the source of life; but the reunion of divinity with hu-
manity at Christ's birth made it possible for humanity to be
united again with divinity. Thus the incarnation was essential
to salvation, for it bridged the gap between the sinner and God.
THINK IT THROUGH
Why is the incarnation of Christ called a mystery?
"Christ is the pre-existent Son of
God.... There never was a time when
He was not in close fellowship with the
eternal God. . . . He was equal with
God, infinite and omnipotent."—"Evan-
gelism," page 615.
"Had He not been fully human, Christ
14
could not have been our substitute. He
could not have worked out in humanity
that perfection of character which it is
the privilege of all to reach."—Ellen G.
White in "The Signs of the Times," June
17, 1897.
Christ Our Saviour
LESSON 2
❑
Monday
Part 2
HIS MISSION
TO EARTH
John 10:9, 10
"I
am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and
to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that
they might have it more abundantly."
The purpose of Christ's mission to earth is described in sev-
eral ways in the Bible. Paul says that Christ gave Himself
as "an offering and a sacrifice to God." Eph. 5:2. And again,
that He "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from
all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people." Titus
2:14. He came "to give the light of the knowledge of the glory
of God" (2 Cor. 4:6) and to "bear witness unto the truth."
John 18:37.
How did our Lord Himself describe the purpose of His
mission to earth? John 10:10.
When Adam and Eve were created, they were candidates
for eternal life; but they sinned and lost this privilege. Christ
came to restore this life to any who choose to accept it. Like
a criminal who is pardoned, or a sick man who is cured, so
the sinner can have life and can have it even more abundantly
than did Adam and Eve, without sin, and without fear of
death.
Read again John 10:9, 10 and note how the phrases used
to describe the safety of God's children are drawn from the
Old Testament. Compare verse 9, on entering in and going
out, with Num. 27:17 and Deut. 28:6. We may feel like Sol-
omon, "I know not how to go out or come in" (1 Kings 3:7),
but we hear a Greater than Solomon saying, "By Me if any
man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and
find pasture."
Whom did Jesus name as the objects of His mission to
earth? Luke 19:10.
THINK IT THROUGH Why was it a sacrifice for Jesus to become incarnate?
"By sin man was shut out from God.
Except for the plan of redemption, eter-
nal separation from God, the darkness
of unending night, would have been
his. Through the Saviour's sacrifice, com-
munion with God is again made pos-
sible. We may not in person approach
into His presence; in our sin we may not
look upon,His_face; but we can behold
Him and €nrrnrie) with Him in Jesus,
k-
the Saviour."":
-
-"Education," page 28.
15
Christ
Our Saviour
LESSON 2
❑
Tuesday
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should
follow His steps:
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:
"Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when
He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to
Him that judgeth righteously."
Jesus took man's nature but not man's sinfulness. There
was nothing in Him that responded to sin. This has raised
endless discussion, some of it good, some of it unprofitable. A
few questions may be helpful here:
Was Jesus subject to the laws of heredity that affect
every human being?
."Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the
working of the great law of heredity."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 49.
Was Jesus a normal child, or was He supernaturally
gifted above all others?
"He gained knowledge as we may do. . . . Every child may
gain knowledge as Jesus
did."—Ibid.,
p. 70.
Was He perfect throughout His whole life?
"At each stage of His development He was perfect, with
the simple, natural grace of a sinless
life."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 83. Compare 2 Cor. 5:21—"knew no sin."
Was Jesus tempted to sin?
He was "tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb. 4:15.
Though tempted, He had no bias or propensity toward sin.
"He could have sinned; He could have fallen, but not for
one moment was there in Him an evil propensity."—Ellen G.
White Comments,
SDA Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, p. 1128.
How did Christ react to persecution? 1 Peter 2:23.
What does Christ's victory over sin mean to us? Heb. 2:18.
Part 3
VICTORIOUS
LIFE
1 Peter 2:21-23
THINK IT THROUGH What would have been the result had Jesus sinned while
on earth?
"If we had to bear anything which
Jesus did not endure, then upon this
point Satan would represent the power
of God as insufficient for us. Therefore
Jesus was 'in all points tempted like as
we are.' Heb. 4:15. He endured every
16
trial to which we are subject. And He
exercised in His own behalf no power
that is not freely offered to us. As man,
He met temptation, and overcame in
the strength given Him from God."—
"The Desire of Ages," page 24.
Christ Our Saviour
LESSON 2
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
VICARIOUS
DEATH
Rom. 5:8-1 1
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to
God by the death of His Son, much more, being recon-
ciled, we shall be saved by His life.
"And not only so, but we also joy in God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the
atonement."
In verse 7 of this chapter Paul states that a righteous man
might give his life for another good man. But Christ gave
His life for us "while we were yet sinners," enemies, traitors,
rebels. What greater demonstration of love could be given?
Notice this sequence: we are justified by His blood (verse
9) ; reconciled by His death (verse 10) ; saved by His life (verse
10). By His death we are justified and reconciled to God. Then
God can work in us to perfect the character that is needed if
we are to be saved in His kingdom.
Is God reconciled to man, or is man reconciled to God?
Verse 10.
In another text Paul says, "God was in Christ, reconciling
the world unto Himself." 2 Cor. 5:19. See also Eph. 2:16;
Col. 1:20. Nowhere in the Bible is it said that God has to be
reconciled to man. God hates sin, but His love for sinners is
so great that He spared nothing to bring about a reconciliation.
Christ died, not to win God over to man, but to win man back
to God.
How fully did Christ accept the responsibility for our sins
and reconcile us to God? 2 Cor. 5:21.
THINK IT THROUGH Should the Christian attempt to be reconciled to his ene-
mies? Why?
"In stooping to take upon Himself
humanity, Christ revealed a character
the opposite of the character of Satan.
But He stepped still lower in the path
of humiliation. 'Being found in fashion
as a man, He humbled Himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross.' Phil. 2:8. As the
high priest laid aside his gorgeous pon-
tifical robes, and officiated in the white
linen dress of the common priest, so
Christ took the form of a servant, and
offered sacrifice, Himself the priest,
Himself the victim. . . .
"Christ was treated as we deserve,
that we might be treated as He de-
serves. He was condemned for our sins,
in which He had no share, that we
might be justified by His righteousness,
in which we had no share. He suffered
the death which was ours, that we
might receive the life which was His.
'With His stripes we are healed.'"—
"The Desire of Ages," page 25.
17
Christ Our Saviour
LESSON 2
0 Thursday
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of
all men most miserable.
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become
the firstfruits of them that slept.
"For since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all
be made alive."
About twenty-five years after Christ's ascension Paul wrote
to the Corinthians and recounted the arguments for the resur-
rection of Jesus. "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain;
ye are yet in your sins." 1 Cor. 15:17. This would make the
Christian the most miserable of all men. Verse 19. His point
is this: If Christ had not risen from the dead, all our religion
is in vain; for He cannot save us from our sins. And this is
the one thing for which we need a savior. Without His resur-
rection, there can be no redemption. Without the resurrec-
tion, there is no reconciliation. Without the resurrection, there
is no life eternal.
What triumphant declaration did Paul make concerning
Christ's resurrection? Verse 20.
This term "firstfruits" is in reference to the ancient custom
of waving the first sheaf of the barley harvest before the Lord.
As the wave sheaf was a pledge of the bountiful harvest to
follow, likewise Christ's death and resurrection is our guaran-
tee that we shall be made alive in Him.
At His ascension what comforting assurance was given
to His disciples? Acts 1:9-11.
Part 5
FROM GRAVE
TO GLORY
1 Cor. 15:19-22
THINK IT THROUGH Does 1 Cor. 15:22 mean that everyone will be saved?
"Christ is the
firstfruits of that im-
mortal harvest of redeemed ones that
at the future resurrection shall be gath-
ered into the garner of God."—"The
Great Controversy," page 399.
"The voice that cried from the cross,
'It is finished,' was heard among the
dead. It pierced the walls of sepulchers,
and summoned the sleepers to arise.
Thus will it be when the voice of Christ
shall be heard from heaven. That voice
will penetrate the graves, and unbar
the tombs, and the dead in Christ shall
18
arise. At the Saviour's resurrection a
few graves were opened, but at His
second coming all the precious dead
shall hear His voice, and shall come
forth to glorious, immortal life. The
same power that raised Christ from the
dead will raise His church, and glorify
it with Him, above all principalities,
above all powers, above every name
that is named, not only in this world,
but also in the world to come."—"The
Desire of Ages," page 787.
Christ Our Saviour
LESSON 2
❑
Friday
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that
is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us
hold fast our profession.
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need."
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He sat down at the right
hand of God (Heb. 1:3) and entered into His priestly work.
The work of Christ on earth was completed, but it was still
necessary for Him to apply to each individual the benefits of
the atonement.
Part 6
HIS
PRIESTLY
WORK
Heb. 4:14-16
Why is Christ worthy to be our High Priest? Verse 15.
What is His priestly work? Heb. 2:17; 7:25; 9:24.
Christ our High Priest is able to love and sympathize with
us in the most perfect, complete, godlike way possible. He suf-
fers with the struggling Christian. Verse 15. This is why we can
"come boldly unto the throne" (verse 16), fully expecting all
the graces that are available to us there. As the sinner ap-
proaches the throne of grace, he sees the lovely, sinless char-
acter of Jesus. He becomes aware of how Jesus dealt with
temptation and recognizes this as the godlike way to act. In
contrast, he sees his own utter sinfulness; and, casting himself
before the throne, he pleads for the forgiveness of sin. Then our
"merciful and faithful high priest" makes "reconciliation for
the sins," and the sinner is made right with God.
THINK IT THROUGH What steps can I take today to become more like Jesuse
Christ?
"The blood of Jesus is pleading with
power and efficacy for those who are
backslidden, for those who are rebel-
lious, for those who sin against great
light and love. Satan stands at our
right hand to accuse us, and our Advo-
cate stands at God's right hand to
plead for us. He has never lost a case
that has been committed to Him. We
may trust in our Advocate; for He
pleads His own merits in our behalf.
Hear His prayer before His betrayal and
trial. Listen to His prayer for us; for He
had us in remembrance... .
"He is making intercession for the
most lowly, the most oppressed and
suffering, for the most tried and
tempted ones. With upraised hands He
pleads, 'I have graven thee upon the
palms of My hands.' God loves to hear,
and responds to the pleadings of His
Son."—Ellen G. White Comments, "SDA
Bible Commentary," Vol. 7, p. 948.
19
Christ Our Saviour
LESSON 2
Part 7
0
SUMMARY QUESTIONS
0
' A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
Which Old Testament prophet predicted that a virgin would give birth
to a son and call his name Immanuel?
2.
True or False: Jesus had both a divine nature and a human nature
when He was on earth.
3.
Complete: "I am come that they might have
, and that they
might have it
PJ
4.
True or False: Jesus was born sinless, but He was capable of being
tempted and could have fallen.
5.
Complete: "Wherefore in all things it behooved Him [Christ] to be
made like unto His brethren, that He might be a
and
High Priest."
6.
Immanuel means "
THE SECOND MILE O
DAILY STUDY
"The Desire of Ages," pages 22-26.
"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 63-65.,
T
"The Desire of Ages," pages 49, 71-74.
W
"The Desire of Ages," pages 758-762.
"The Desire of Ages," pages 779-787.
F
"Testimonies," Vol. 5, pages 467-472,
•
sn
top&
pop
(9) :initme; Injpiaux (9) :anij, (5.) f.Apuepunge al= 'am (£)
(Z) !i[EfesI (I) :siamsuV
20
LESSON 3
January 17
AT PEACE WITH GOD
3
"All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to HiMself by Jesus Christ, and
hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, rec-
onciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath
committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Cor. 5:18, 19.
This study describes what Christ has
done and is doing to reconcile sinners to
God. Reconciliation denotes a change in
the status of two or more estranged indi-
viduals. The act of reconciliation performed
by Jesus changed the relationship of man
and God from enmity to friendship. The
change is on man's, not God's, part ; but it
is a direct result of God's appeal and God's
grace in giving Christ to ransom man from
sin.
KEY WORDS
1.
Redemption.
Jesus obtained eternal
"redemption" for us. Heb. 9:12. This word
looks at sin as slavery, and at sinners as
slaves to sin. Rom. 6:16, 17. It sees the
ministry of Christ in delivering us from sin
as a work of setting slaves free from bond-
age.
2.
Reconciliation.
That God "recon-
ciled" us to Himself by Jesus Christ (2
Cor. 5:18) is the good news of "reconcilia-
tion." Verses 19, 20. Christ became incar-
nate in order "to make reconciliation" for
our sins. Heb. 2:17. These words look at
sin as a state of hostility toward God, and
at sinners as enemies of God. Rom. 5:10;
8:7. They see the ministry of Christ as a
work of setting us at peace with God. Rom.
5:1, 10.
3.
Propitiation.
As used in the New Tes-
tament, "propitiation" is equivalent to "rec-
onciliation." Christ is the "propitiation"
for our sins. 1 John 2:2 ; 4:10. "Propitia-
tion" presents Christ as the Lamb of God,
by whom the enmity of sin is removed.
John 1:29.
4.
Atonement.
Through Christ we have
received the "atonement." As used in Ro-
mans 5:11 the word "atonement" simply
means "at-one-ment" and is equivalent to
"reconciliation."
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Without God in the world
Eph. 2:1-3
2.
The Great Reconciler
2 Cor. 5:18, 19
3.
Reunited by His Death
Rom. 5:8-11
4.
Reconciliation Applied
Heb. 2:17, 18
5.
No Longer Alone
John 1:11-13
6.
Grace in Action
Rom. 12: 1,2
21
At Peace With God
LESSON 3
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in
trespasses and sins;
WITHOUT GOD
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the
IN THE course of this world, according to the prince of the power
WORLD of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience:
"Among whom also we all had our conversation in
times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires
of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
Eph. 2:1-3 children of wrath, even as others."
According to Paul the miserable condition of a man living
in sin can be described as follows:
1.
He is condemned. Verse 1. Because he is cut off from
God, the fountain of life, he is already considered as
"dead in trespasses and sin." He has nothing to look
forward to but death.
2.
He is a slave. Verse 2. The sinner must live according to
the dictates of Satan, the "prince of the power of the
air." There is no freedom in sin.
3.
He is controlled by lust. Verse 3. The sinner's "conversa-
tion" (better translated "conduct") is determined by the
wishes of his lustful flesh rather than by the higher dic-
tates of his spiritual nature. See Gal. 5:19-21; Rom.
1:24-32.
It is no wonder that Paul goes on in verse 12 of Ephesians
2 to describe the sinner as an alien and stranger "having no
hope, and without God in this world."
What is the attitude of the unregenerate heart toward
God and spiritual things? Rom. 1:21-23; 8:7, 8.
Why has the sinner become alienated from God? Eph.
4:18, 19.
THINK IT THROUGH Does the child of God have more freedom than the sin-
ner? Why?
"[At Christ's
birth] Satanic agencies
were incorporated with men. The bod-
ies of human beings, made for the
dwelling place of God, had become the
habitation of demons. The senses, the
nerves, the passions, the organs of men,
were worked by supernatural agencies
in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The
22
very stamp of demons was impressed
upon the countenances of men....
"It was demonstrated before the uni-
verse that, apart from God, humanity
could not be uplifted. A new element
of life and power must be imparted by
Him who made the world."—"The De-
sire of Ages," pages 36, 37.
At Peace With God
LESSON 3
0
Monday
Part 2
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us
to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the min-
THE GREAT istry of reconciliation;
RECONCILER
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;
2 Cor. 5:18, 19 and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
Did you notice that Paul repeats in verse 19 what he has just
said in verse 18? Let it be said over and over again. We have
been reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. Out of heaven itself
came the Saviour to work the greatest miracle of all history,
the saving of a lost world. See Col. 1:19, 20. Jesus Christ did
not come to appease God by making a sacrifice to His wrath.
Rather, God took the initiative, for "God was in Christ, rec-
onciling the world unto Himself." 2 Corinthians 5:19.
Jesus died in the place of the sinner and for his mistakes.
The enmity that resulted from the sinner's violation of the
law was set aside, and reconciliation between the sinner and
his God became a reality. It is proper, then, to say that God
is the author, man is the object, and the death of Christ is the
medium, of reconciliation.
What responsibility has been committed to those who
are already reconciled? Verses 18, 19, last parts.
What causes great joy in heaven? Luke 15:7, 10.
THINK IT THROUGH Why doesn't God allow sinners to go their own way with-
out interference?
"God permitted His beloved Son, full
of grace and truth, to come from a
world of indescribable glory, to a world
marred and blighted with sin, dark-
ened with the shadow of death and
the curse. He permitted Him to leave the
bosom of His love, the adoration of the
angels, to suffer shame, insult, humilia-
tion, hatred, and death. . . .
"But this great sacrifice was not
made in order to create in the Father's
heart a love for man, not to make Him
willing to save. No, no! 'God so loved
the world, that He gave His only-begot-
ten Son.' John 3:16. The Father loves
us, not because of the great propitia-
tion, but He provided the propitia-
tion because He loves us. Christ was
the medium through which He could
pour out His infinite love upon a fallen
world."—"Steps to Christ," page 13.
23
At Peace With God
LESSON 3
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
REUNITED
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood,
BY HIS DEATH we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of His Son, much more, being recon-
ciled, we shall be saved by His life.
"And not only so, but we also joy in God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the
Rom. 5:8-11 atonement."
Notice that we were reconciled to God by the death of
Christ "when we were enemies." Verse 10. This does not mean
that God made Himself our enemy. We made ourselves ene-
mies of God. God did not need reconciling, but man did.
The reconciliation is described in several ways in the Bible.
Paul speaks of it as "redemption through His blood" (Eph.
1:7), and as "reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Heb.
2:17). In 1 John 4:10 we read that God sent His Son to be
"the propitiation for our sins," and in Romans 5:11 it is said
that through Jesus Christ "we have now received the atone-
ment." Different words are used, but all describe the same
process that brings us together again with our Father-God.
See 1 Peter 3:18.
How should the Christian react to his reconciliation?
Verse 11.
THINK IT THROUGH 1. Why do we need to be reconciled?
2. How could the death of one man make atonement for
the sins of the whole world?
"By His life and His death, Christ
has achieved even more than recovery
from the ruin wrought through sin. It
was Satan's purpose to bring about an
eternal separation between God and
man; but in Christ we become more
closely united to God than if we had
never fallen. In taking our nature, the
Saviour has bound Himself to humanity
by a tie that is never to be broken.
Through the eternal ages He is linked
with us. 'God so loved the world, that
24
He gave His only-begotten Son.' John
3:16. He gave Him not only to bear our
sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He
gave Him to the fallen race. . . . In
Christ the family of earth and the fam-
ily of heaven are bound together.
Christ glorified is our brother. Heaven
is enshrined in humanity, and humanity
is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite
Love."—"The Desire of Ages," pages
25, 26.
At Peace With God
LESSON 3
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
"Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be Made
like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and
RECONCILIATION faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make
APPLIED reconciliation for the sins of the people.
"For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted,
Heb. 2:17, 18 He is able to succor them that are tempted."
Hebrews 2:9-18 portrays a wonderful unfolding of the work
of Jesus Christ in reconciling sinners to God. The writer begins
by describing how Jesus came to this earth that He might
"taste death for every man." Verse 9. He was made "perfect
through sufferings" (verse 10) ; He was not ashamed to call
us brethren (verse 11). By His death He destroyed "him that
had the power of death, that is, the devil." Verse 14. Now He
has become "a merciful and faithful High Priest . . . , to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people." Verse 17.
Christ died for the entire world (see 2 Cor. 5:19), but each
individual must make his own personal reconciliation with God
through faith in Jesus Christ. This work of reconciliation is
the work which Jesus has entered into as our High Priest.
How did the sufferings of Christ fit Him for His priestly
work? Heb. 2:18.
"Christ must become man so completely and fully that it
can never be said that He is a stranger to any temptation, any
sorrow, any trial or suffering that men must pass through."—
SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Heb. 2:17.
How did John describe the priestly office of Christ? 1 John
2:1.
THINK IT THROUGH When we are tempted, what can we ask Christ to do for
us?
"Christ
is in the heavenly sanctuary,
and He is there to make an atonement
for the people. He is there to present
His wounded side and pierced hands
to His Father. He is there to plead for
His church that is upon the earth. He is
cleansing the sanctuary from the sins
of the people. What is our work?—It is
our work to be in harmony with the
work of Christ. By faith we are to work
with Him, to be in union with Him."
—E. G. White in "Review and Herald,"
Jan. 28, 1890.
"Whatever may have been your past
experience, however discouraging your
present circumstances, if you will come
to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless,
and despairing, our compassionate Sav-
iour will meet you a great way off, and
will throw about you His arms of love
and His robe of righteousness."—
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,"
page 9.
25
At Peace With God
LESSON 3
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"He came unto His own, and His own received Him
not.
NO LONGER
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power
ALONE to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on
His name:
"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
John 1:11-13 flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Israel was God's "peculiar people." Deut. 26:18. He chose
them for "a special people unto Himself, above all people that
are upon the face of the earth." Deut. 7:6. It could be ex-
pected that they would accept Christ with open arms. But they
denied Him. They turned Him out and gave Him over to the
Gentiles. They had Him put to death in a manner of deep
disgrace. "His own received Him not."
But not all failed Him, and "as many as received Him"
were given the opportunity to become the sons of God. A per-
son's salvation does not depend on the race, nation, or church
to which he belongs. It is a gift to the one who believes on
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts by faith the
promise of salvation through Him.
What distinguishes true conversion from the false? Verse
13.
What experience must we cultivate in order to retain the
blessings of divine grace? 2 Peter 3:18.
This can also be translated "keep on growing." We are to
grow in both grace and knowledge, and to keep it up. "Those
who believe the truth are to be newly converted every day."
—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 248. By growing in grace and
accepting the power that comes from God we become sons of
God, members of the divine family. See 1 John 3 :1; Rom. 8:14.
THINK IT THROUGH How do we "receive" God?
"Divine sonship is not something that
we gain of ourselves. Only to those
who receive Christ as their Saviour is
given the power to become sons and
daughters of God. The sinner cannot,
by any power of his own, rid himself
of sin. For the accomplishment of this
result, he must look to a higher Power.
John exclaimed, 'Behold the Lamb of
God, which taketh away the sin of
the world.' Christ alone has power to
cleanse the heart."—Ellen G. White,
"Sons and Daughters of God," page 12.
"When we submit ourselves to Christ,
26
the heart is united with His heart, the
will is merged in His will, the mind be-
comes one with His mind, the thoughts
are brought into captivity to Him; we
live His life. This is what it means to
be clothed with the garment of His
righteousness. Then as the Lord looks
upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf gar-
ment, not the nakedness and deformity
of sin, but His own robe of righteous-
ness, which is perfect obedience to the
law of Jehovah."—"Christ's Object Les-
sons," page 312.
At Peace With God
LESSON 3
❑
Friday
Part 6
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
GRACE IN acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
ACTION
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye trans-
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
Rom. 12:1, 2 God."
Here Paul brings theology down to practical terms. The
phrase "a living sacrifice" comes from the Old Testament Le-
vitical law and is used by Paul to contrast the sacrifice of a
lamb with the sacrifice of a living believer. In the Old Testament
the sacrifices were killed, but under the new way of life we are
"dead with Christ," so far as sin is concerned, and "alive unto
God." See Rom. 6:8-11.
What does Paul caution us against? Rom. 12:2, first part.
Another translation reads, "Don't let the world around you
squeeze you into its own mold." Phillips. But if we are hot to
conform to the world, what should we do? "Be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind." This is grace in action. The
sinner is taken from his degraded position and transformed
into a new individual, acceptable to the perfect will of God.
What is the result of the transforming power of God in
the life? Gal. 5:22, 23.
It is interesting to compare these nine qualities with similar
lists in 2 Peter 1:5-7; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 3:10. When grace
comes into the life of a man, he will 'be transformed and,
brought into an intimate fellowship with God which.it is the
privilege only of the Christian to know. See Phil73:9, 10.
How many of the fruits of the spirit are present in my life?
Which one should I concentrate on developing today?
THINK IT THROUGH
"He will not accept half a sacrifice.
All, all, all, is God's, and we are re-
quired to render perfect service."—"Tes-
timonies," Vol. 1, p. 694.
"We see by experience that in our
own human strength, resolutions and
purposes are of no avail. Must we,
then, give up our determined efforts?
No; although our experience testifies
that we cannot possibly do this work
ourselves, help has been laid upon One
who is mighty to do it for us. But the
only way we can secure the help of
God is to put ourselves wholly in His
hands, and trust Him to work for us.
As we lay hold of Him by faith, He does
the work. The believer can only trust.
As God works, we can work, trusting in
Him and doing His will."—Ellen G.
White Comments, "SDA Bible Commen-
tary," Vol. 6, p. 1080.
27
At Peace With God
LESSON 3
Part 7 '
0
' SUMMARY QUESTIONS '0' A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
Complete: God is the
, man is the
, and the
death of Christ is the
of reconciliation.
2.
True or False: Jesus came to this earth to appease the wrath of God
toward sinners
3.
According to the Bible what causes great joy in heaven?
4.
The word "advocate" is used by John to describe the work of (A) Satan,
(B) Jesus, (C) God the Father, (D) a Christian
5.
Complete: "But as many as
Him, to them gave He
to become the sons of God."
6.
How many of the fruits of the Spirit can you name
THE SECOND MILE <> DAILY STUDY HELPS
S
"Steps to Christ," pages 17-22. ("The Sinner's Need of Christ."1
M "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 186-192. (1923 ed., pages 187- 98.)
T
"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 67-70,
W
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 6-9. (1943 94 pages
17-21.)
T
"Christ's Object Lessons, pages 198-211. (1923 ed., pages 201-213.)
P
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 314-319. (1923 ed., pages 320-325.)
•
aaueladtual `ssamiaauz 'me; •ssaupoo2 'ssauonua2 `2TagaBns-2uoi 'aaead
'anoi (g) !Jamod
Vaniaaal
(s)
(0
:s4uadal
aeq4 Janine u (E) :aqua (z) :uni!patu 'parcins `aotilne (T) :saamsuv
28
January 24
flip
,THE KINGDOM OF GRACE
4
LESSON 4
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. 4:16.
"Grace" is a translation of the Greek
word "charis," which denotes "favor" or
"goodwill." In ancient times a king or great
man extended favor to servants, slaSies, or
captives. This idea appears in the Bible,
with more elevated meaning, to show God's
attitude to men.
KEY THOUGHTS
1.
The Kingdom of Grace.
A kingdom
is an organized form of society consisting
of king, subjects, and territory. The king-
dom of grace is the church invisible
throughout probationary time. Its role com-
plete, the kingdom of grace will eventually
merge into God's eternal kingdom of glory.
2.
The King of Grace.
Jesus Christ is
the King of grace. The theme of His earthly
ministry was, "The kingdom of heaven is
at hand." Matt. 4:17. The crucifixion was
"His true coronation."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 379.
3.
Subjects of Grace.
God's transform-
ing grace is displayed by the subjects of
His kingdom. By divine grace they were
justified when they became its subjects;
by divine grace they are sanctified as long
as they remain loyal to God.
4.
The Throne of Grace.
The kingdom
of grace exists to give its subjects access to
the throne of grace, where they can "ob-
tain mercy, and find grace to help" them
overcome every inherited and cultivated
tendency to evil and thus qualify for ad-
mission to the everlasting kingdom of glory.
Heb. 4:16.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Kingdom Established
Matt. 4:17
Rev. 12:10, 11
2.
Nature of the Kingdom
Luke 17:20, 21
3.
Like Unto a Mustard Seed
Matt. 13:31, 32
4.
Admission by Birth
John 3:3-5
5.
Citizenship Requirements
Matt. 5:3-10
6.
Privileges and Benefits
Mark 10:28-30
29
The Kingdom of Grace
LESSON 4
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,
Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
THE KINGDOM
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is
ESTABLISHED come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our
God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our
brethren is cast down, which accused them before our
God day and night.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,
Matt. 4:17 and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not
Rev. 12:10, 11
their lives unto the death."
The kingdom of heaven cannot be clearly understood by
comparing it with earthly governments. His kingdom is a king-
dom of grace. Wherever the King is, wherever He rules with
grace and power, that is where His kingdom is to be found.
Thus when Jesus came it was very appropriate to say, "The
kingdom of heaven is near," for the King Himself was very
near. See Matt. 3:2; 12:28; Luke 16:16.
By what event was the permanent establishment of the
kingdom of divine grace made possible? Heb. 2:14, 15.
How did the permanent establishment of the kingdom
change Satan's status? Rev. 12:10, 11.
At the cross two certainties were irrevocably established.
First, Christ was victorious in making an atonement for sin.
"Every barrier was then broken down which intercepted the
freest fullness of the exercise of grace, mercy, peace, and love
to the most guilty of Adam's race."—E. G. White manuscript
92, 1899. Second, "Satan saw that his disguise was torn away."
He stood revealed as a "murderer," and "the last link of sym-
pathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 761.
THINK IT THROUGH Why does Satan continue his work even though Christ
assured his eventual defeat?
"As used in the Bible, the expression
'kingdom of God' is employed to desig-
nate both the kingdom of grace and
the kingdom of glory. The kingdom of
grace is brought to view by Paul in the
Epistle to the Hebrews. After pointing
to Christ, the compassionate intercessor
who is 'touched with the feeling of our
infirmities,' the apostle says: 'Let us
therefore come boldly unto the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
30
and find grace." ...
"The kingdom of grace was insti-
tuted immediately after the fall of man,
when a plan was devised for the re-
demption of the guilty race. It then ex-
isted in the purpose and by the prom-
ise of God; and through faith, men
could become its subjects. Yet it was
not actually established until the death
of Christ."—"The Great' Controversy,"
pages 347, 348.
The Kingdom of Grace
LESSON 4
❑
Monday
"And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when
the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and
said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, be-
hold, the kingdom of God is within you."
The Jews looked forward with longing and anticipation to
the coming of the Messiah, for they felt that when He came
He would establish a glorious, visible kingdom here on earth.
Before Jesus came on the scene, the Jewish leaders had heard
John the Baptist preach that "the kingdom" was at hand.
Later, Christ Himself had proclaimed that the kingdom was
near. By now several years had passed, but a physical literal
kingdom was not in sight. The Pharisees came to Jesus and
chided Him with His failure to produce the kingdom He had
promised. See verse 20.
How did Jesus reply to the Pharisees? Verse 21.
"The Pharisees sit in their observation towers in vain; the
kingdom, being spiritual and internal, comes right under their
noses, and with their unspiritual eyes they never see a thing
of it or of its coming."—R. C. H. Lenski,
The Interpretation
of Luke's Gospel,
page 882.
The Revised Standard Version translates the last part of
Luke 17:21 as "the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
This rendering avoids the idea that the kingdom was in the
hearts of the Pharisees.
How did Jesus explain the nature of His kingdom to
Pilate? John 18:36.
Part 2
NATURE
OF THE KINGDOM
Luke 17:20, 21
THINK IT THROUGH Has the kingdom of grace been established in my life?
My home? My church?
"The kingdom of God comes not with
outward show. It comes through the
gentleness of the inspiration of His
Word, through the inward working of
His Spirit, the fellowship of the soul
with Him who is its life. The greatest
manifestation of its power is seen in
human nature brought to the perfec-
tion of the character of Christ."—"Tes-
timonies," Vol. 7, p. 143.
"Not by the decisions of courts or
councils or legislative assemblies, not
by the patronage of worldly great men,
is the kingdom of Christ established,
but by the implanting of Christ's nature
in humanity through the work of the
Holy Spirit.. . . Here is the only power
that can work the uplifting of man-
kind. And the human agency for the
accomplishment of this work is the
teaching and practicing of the Word of
God."—"The Desire of Ages," pages
509, 510.
31
The Kingdom of Grace
LESSON 4
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
"Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed,
LIKE UNTO which a man took, and sowed in his field:
A MUSTARD SEED
"Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is
grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a
tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the
Matt. 13:31, 32 branches thereof."
Christ chose the smallest seed that was ordinarily planted
in ancient gardens to illustrate the phenomenal growth of the
kingdom of God. It was difficult for the disciples to under-
stand how the kingdom could increase. They were but a
handful of unlettered, ordinary people, set off in a small corner
of the world. But even as the mustard seed grows from such
a small beginning to a full-grown bush the size of a tree, so
the kingdom of God has grown from its humble beginnings to
its magnificent outreach today. See
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 77, 78.
What other parable illustrates the nature and purpose of
the kingdom of God's grace? Matt. 13:33.
While the mustard seed represents the extensive growth of
God's kingdom, the parable of the leaven describes the inten-
sive growth of the kingdom within the human heart. Although
leaven is often used in the Bible to depict the growth of evil
(see Luke 12:1; 1 Cor. 5:7, 8), in the parable of the leaven
it depicts the work of grace in transforming the lives of those
who are receptive. This grace will work silently and irresistibly
to change the quality of the life, diffusing itself into all the
powers and faculties of the mind until the whole has been
changed into the image of God Himself. 2 Cor. 3:18.
What transfer of the kingdom became necessary because
of Israel's unfaithfulness? Matt. 21:43.
THINK IT THROUGH What can I do today to extend the work of the kingdom?
"When Christ spoke this parable,
there were only a few Galilean peas-
ants to represent the new kingdom.
Their poverty, the fewness of their num-
bers, were urged over and over again
as a reason why men should not con-
nect themselves with these simple-
minded fishermen who followed Jesus.
But the mustard seed was to grow and
spread forth its branches throughout
the world. When the earthly kingdoms
32
whose glory then filled the hearts of
men should perish, the kingdom of
Christ would remain, a mighty and far-
reaching power.
"So the work of grace in the heart
is small in its beginning. A word is
spoken, a ray of light is shed into the
soul, an influence is exerted that is the
beginning of the new life; and who can
measure its results?"—"Christ's Object
Lessons," pages 77, 78.
The Kingdom of Grace
LESSON 4
❑
Wednesday
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot
see the kingdom of God.
"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born
when he is old? can he enter the second time into his
mother's womb, and be born?
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except
a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God."
Nicodemus, a Jewish official, Pharisee, and member of the
Sanhedrin, came secretly to Jesus inquiring of the kingdom
of God. Christ's answer was straight and startling: "Except
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." This
was a devastating blow to Nicodemus. What higher birth could
he have than to be born a son of Abraham in Palestine the
Promised Land! What about his parentage, birth, position,
prestige—? Was all this worthless?
How did Nicodemus reply to Christ's statement? Verse 4.
Birth is the beginning of life. To be "born again" is to start
life over. At our first birth we are born corrupt, sinful, subject
to death. See Rom. 5:12. If we are to inhabit the kingdom of
God, we must be born again from above. The natural man
must become a spiritual man. We must be changed from enemies
of God (Rom. 8:7) to friends of God. We must be born again.
What is man's part in the new-birth experience? John
1:12, 13.
Part 4
ADMISSION
BY BIRTH
John 3:3-5
THINK IT THROUGH How can a person know if he has been born again?
"Religion is not to be confined to ex-
ternal forms and ceremonies. The reli-
gion that comes from God is the only
religion that will lead to God. In order
to serve Him aright, we must be born
of the divine Spirit. This will purify the
heart and renew the mind, giving us
a new capacity for knowing and loving
God. It will give us a willing obedience
to all His requirements. This is true
worship. It is the fruit of the working
of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every
sincere prayer is indited, and such
prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever
a soul reaches out after God, there the
Spirit's working is manifest, and God
will reveal Himself to that soul. For
such worshipers He is seeking. He waits
to receive them, and to make them His
sons and daughters."—"The Desire of
Ages," page 189.
33
The Kingdom of Grace
LESSON 4
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the king-
dom of heaven.
CITIZENSHIP
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be com-
REQUIREMENTS forted.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called
the children of God.
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteous-
Matt. 5:3-10 ness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The Beatitudes were given at a crucial period in the min-
istry of Christ. His message, "The kingdom of heaven is at
hand," had raised the hopes of the people to a high pitch—
hopes that He might indeed be the One to conquer Rome. In
this great declaration of the principles and laws of His king-
dom, Jesus gave a succession of blessings listing the qualities
that should be found in those who belonged to His kingdom.
For further reading see
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
pages 6-35.
How important is it that we do the will of God? Matt.
7:21.
What is the basic law of the kingdom of heaven? Matt.
22:36-40.
THINK IT THROUGH Is it possible to keep the commandments by an effort of
the will?
"In the Sermon on the Mount He
[Christ] sought . . . to give His hearers
a right conception of His kingdom and
of His own character. . . . He told them
the conditions of entrance therein, leav-
ing them to draw their own conclusions
as to its nature."—"The Desire of Ages,"
page 299.
"Throughout the Beatitudes there is
34
an advancing line of Christian experi-
ence. Those who have felt their need
of Christ, those who have mourned be-
cause of sin and have sat with Christ
in the school of affliction, will learn
meekness from the divine Teacher."—
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,"
pages 13, 14.
The Kingdom of Grace
LESSON 4
❑
Friday
Part 6
"Then Peter began to say unto Him, Lo, we have left
all, and have followed Thee.
PRIVILEGES
"And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you,
AND
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sis-
BENEFITS ters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,
for My sake, and the gospel's,
"But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time,
houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and chil-
dren, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to
Mark 10:28-30 come eternal life."
Some have ridiculed the promise given in Mark 10:30, point-
ing out that certainly a Christian does not receive one hundred-
fold here on this earth for everything he has lost. But what the
scoffer does not know is that to the Christian the complete joy
of loving fellowship and the very real and intense satisfaction
that comes from serving God is greater by one hundredfold
than anything he has lost. See Ps. 37:16; Prov. 15:16; 16:8;
2 Cor. 6:10; 1 Tim. 6:6. In addition to all this he will have
"in the world to come eternal life,"• which is certainly worth
infinitely more than any loss that is suffered here. See 2 Cor.
4:17.
What phrase in Mark 10:30 reminds us that this is still
a world of sin?
Should we expect only spiritual blessings from God while
on this earth? Matt. 6:30-33.
THINK IT THROUGH Can you think of any case where a believer regretted any
sacrifice involved in following Christ?
"Often the follower of Christ is
brought where he cannot serve God
and carry forward his worldly enter-
prises. Perhaps it appears that obe-
dience to some plain requirement of
God will cut ofF his means of support.
Satan would make him believe that he
must sacrifice his conscientious convic-
tions. But the only thing in our world
upon which we can rely is the Word of
God. 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and His righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.' Matt.
6:33. Even in this life it is not for our
good to depart from the will of our
Father in heaven. When we learn the
power of His Word, we shall not follow
the suggestions of Satan in order to
obtain food or to save our lives. Our
only questions will be, What is God's
command? and what His promise?
Knowing these, we shall obey the one,
and trust the other."—"The Desire of
Ages," page
121.
35
The Kingdom of Grace
LESSON 4
Part 7 '
0
' SUMMARY QUESTIONS '0' A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
The kingdom of grace is (A) the church invisible, (B) heaven, (C)
all who have died in the faith, (D) all who will be translated.
2.
Complete: "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold,
the kingdom of God is
lf
3.
By what event was the establishment of the kingdom of grace made
possible? (A) fall of man, (B) birth of Christ, (C) death of Christ, (D)
stoning of Stephen
4.
Which of Christ's parables illustrates the phenomenal growth of the
kingdom of grace)
5.
In the parable of the leaven, Christ used the leaven to illustrate (A)
sin in the heart, (B) the work of grace in the life, (C) the quality of
mercy, (D) the need for forgiveness
6.
Complete: "Except a man be
of
and of the
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
THE SECOND MILE C'
DAILY STUDY HELPS
S
"The Desire of Ages," pages 231-235.
M
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages '.8, 107-109. (1943
ed., pages 159, 160.)
T
"Christ's Object Lessons, pages 95-102. (1923 ed., pages 93-99.)
W
"Steps to Christ," pages 43-48. ("Consecration.")
T
"The Desire of Ages," pages 298-306.
F
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 395-399. (1923
ed.,
pages 397-406.)
1RFIs
'Jame, 'Itioq (9) :Et (5)
:pass
prelsnux alp Jo amend (1
7
) :3 (E) :nod tuq M (Z) :V (I) :siantsud
36
LESSON 5
January 31
THE SINNER JUSTIFIED
5
"He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made
the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.
The phrase "justified by faith" occurs
only in the writings of Paul. Through reve-
lation he became the great proponent of
doctrine of justification by faith through
grace. Others taught the doctrine, but under
the guidance of the Holy Spirit he devel-
oped this greatest of all doctrinal themes
to its fullest extent, and tied it to God's
love and the cross of Christ. It is hoped
that this study will lead you reverently to
ask the question: How do I stand in the
sight of God at this moment?
KEY WORDS
1.
Justify and Justification.
The New
Testament words thus translated mean "to
set right," "to regard as righteous," "to
declare righteous," "to treat as being righ-
teous," "to acquit." To be justified is to
be made and declared righteous, to be
acquitted of wrongdoing, to have charges
canceled, to be brought into a right rela-
tion with God.
2.
Righteousness.
This word usually
denotes the quality or state of being right.
Among the Greeks "righteousness" con-
sisted of conformity to accepted customs.
To the Jews it was a matter of conformity
to the requirements of the law as inter-
preted by the rabbis. But for Christ's fol-
lowers it means conformity to the prin-
ciples of the kingdom of heaven.
3.
Imputed Righteousness.
In the
Greek New Testament the original expres-
sion sometimes translated "to impute" is
also translated "to think" (Rom. 2:3), "to
count" (Rom. 4:3), "to reckon" (Rom.
4:4). When God imputes righteousness to
the repentant sinner, He figuratively places
the righteousness of Christ to his credit on
the books of heaven, and the sinner stands
before God as if he had never sinned.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Born Sinful
Rom. 3:10-12
2.
Righteous in Christ
Rom. 3:24-26
3.
By Faith Not Works
Rom. 4:2-5
4.
A Proper Attitude
Luke 18:13, 14
5.
No Longer Enemies
Rom. 5:1, 2
6.
Free at Last
Rom. 8:1-4
37
The Sinner Justified
LESSON 5
❑
Sunday
Part 1
BORN SINFUL
Rom. 3:10-12
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
"There is none that understandeth, there is none that
seeketh after God.
"They are all gone out of the way, they are together
become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no,
not one."
Paul very clearly expresses in this passage why men need
to be justified. We are all born guilty: "There is none righteous
. . . there is none that doeth good." Every man is born with
tendencies to evil and is placed in a world where he is sur-
rounded with wickedness. He is destined to be a sinner. The
odds are stacked against him. This is man's hopeless condition.
What is the reason for our desperate position? Rom.
1:21-24.
In what other words does Paul emphasize man's sinful
condition? Rom. 3:23.
Another writer translates this verse as: "Everyone has
sinned; everyone falls short of the beauty of God's plan." Phil-
lips.We have all come short of God's plan for our lives as an
archer might shoot short of the mark or a long-distance runner
come short of the goal. Oh, yes, we might glorify ourselves
before men who are corrupt as we are; but when we come to
understand the real glory of God, we cannot help but fall down
and say, "I have sinned; I have fallen short of Thy glory."
THINK IT THROUGH Why do we tend to think more highly of ourselves than
we ought?
"The result of the eating of the tree
of knowledge of good and evil is mani-
fest in every man's experience. There
is in his nature a bent to evil, a force
which, unaided, he cannot resist."—
"Education," page 29.
"It is impossible for us, of ourselves,
to escape from the pit of sin in which
we are sunken. Our hearts are evil,
and we cannot change them. 'Who can
bring a clean thing out of an unclean?
not one.' The carnal mind is enmity
against God: for it is not subject to the
38
law of God, neither indeed can be.'
Job 14:4. Romans 8:7. Education, cul-
ture, the exercise of the will, human
effort, all have their proper sphere, but
here they are powerless. They may
produce an outward correctness of be-
havior, but they cannot change the
heart; they cannot purify the springs
of life. There must be a power working
from within, a new life from above,
before men can be changed from sin
to holiness."—"Steps to Christ," page
18.
The Sinner Justified
LESSON 5
❑
Monday
"Being justified freely by His grace through the re-
demption that is in Christ Jesus:
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through
faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance
of God;
"To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that
He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth
in Jesus."
In Romans 3:10-23 Paul describes the hopeless condition of
the sinner: "there is none righteous" (verse 10) ; "there is none
that doeth good" (verse 12) ; "there is no fear of God" (verse
18) ; "all have sinned" (verse 23). But he does not leave us
on this discouraging note. In verse 24 he assures us that despite
our sinful condition we can be "justified freely by His grace."
How does the sinner receive this free gift? Verse 26.
A man has nothing in himself of which he can boast. See
verse 27. If he is to be made right with his Creator, it must
be by an act of God, His own gift, not by any works which
man can do.
How did Christ earn the right to impute His righteousness
to us? Rom. 5:19.
Part 2
RIGHTEOUS
IN CHRIST
Rom. 3:24-26
All are sinners, but all can become righteous because of
God's free gift which justifies the sinner through Jesus Christ.
See Rom. 5:16-18. How can the Judge of heaven and earth be
just and yet declare righteous any sinner who cries out to
Him? Only because Jesus Christ perfectly satisfied God's jus-
tice and opened the way for His grace. See 2 Cor. 5:21.
THINK IT THROUGH How often do I give thanks for what Christ did for me at
Calvary?
"Through Jesus, God's mercy was
manifested to men; but mercy does not
set aside justice. The law reveals the
attributes of God's character, and not
a jot or tittle of it could be changed
to meet man in his fallen condition.
God did not change His law, but He
sacrificed Himself, in Christ, for man's
redemption. 'God was in Christ, recon-
ciling the world unto Himself.' 2 Cor.
5:19."—"The Desire of Ages," page 762.
"In ourselves we are sinners; but in
Chri;t we are righteous. Having made
us righteous through the imputed righ-
teousness of Christ, God pronounces us
just, and treats us as just. He looks
upon us as His dear children. Christ
works against the power of sin, and
where sin abounded, grace much more
abounds."—"Selected Messages," Bk. 1,
p. 394.
39
The Sinner Justified
LESSON 5
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
BY FAITH
NOT WORKS
Rom. 4:2-5
"For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath
whereof to glory; but not before God.
"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God,
and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned
of grace, but of debt.
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him
that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righ-
teousness."
Abraham, called in the Bible the "friend of God" has left
on record a notable example of faith in his offering of Isaac.
It was promised to him that he would be "a father of many
nations." Gen. 17:5. The Jews called him their father (John
8:39), and in James 2:21 he is called "our father," that is, the
father of all Christians. Thus, when Paul wishes to give an
illustration from the Old Testament of justification by faith
alone, he naturally turns to Abraham, the spiritual father of
all who believe in God.
Upon what basis was Abraham declared righteous? Rom.
4:3.
The word "counted" recalls Gen. 15:6, which is sometimes
called the most important verse in the Old Testament: "He
believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteous-
ness." "Counted," "reckoned," "imputed," all are from the
same Greek word signifying an act of God resulting in the
sinner's justification.
How does Paul describe the process by which the righ-
teousness of Christ is transferred to the sinner? Verse 5.
THINK IT THROUGH Is a man's salvation dependent upon the works he has
done? Eph. 2:8-10. See also James 2:17-20.
"As the penitent sinner, contrite be-
fore God, discerns Christ's atonement
in his behalf, and accepts this atone-
ment as his only hope in this life and
the future life, his sins are pardoned.
This is justification by faith.. . .
"Through faith, the believer passes
from the position of a rebel, a child of
sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal
subject of Christ Jesus, not because
of an inherent goodness, but because
Christ receives him as His child by
adoption. . . .
40
"Justification is the opposite of con-
demnation. God's boundless mercy is
exercised toward those who are wholly
undeserving. He forgives transgressions
and sins for the sake of Jesus, who has
become the propitiation for our sins.
Through faith in Christ, the guilty trans-
gressor is brought into favor with God
and into the strong hope of life eter-
nal."—Ellen G. White Comments, "SDA
Bible Commentary," Vol. 6, pp. 1070,
1071.
The Sinner Justified
LESSON 5
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up
so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his
A PROPER breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
ATTITUDE
"1 tell you, this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself
shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be
Luke 18:13, 14 exalted."
"Two men went to the temple to worship God. One, a Phari-
see, stood with his eyes lifted to heaven and said, "God, I
thank Thee, that I am not as other men are." Verse 11. In
contrast, the other man, a publican, standing "afar off" and
striking his breast in the Oriental manner of showing great
sorrow, cried out, "God be merciful to me a sinner." The
last two words would be better translated "the sinner." He
speaks as though there were no other sinners but he. True
repentance finds no comfort in the fact that there are many
other perhaps greater sinners.
What was God's response to the two prayers? Verse 14.
"The Pharisee disqualified himself from receiving divine
mercy and grace. Self-satisfaction closed the door of his heart
to the rich currents of divine love that brought joy and peace
to the publican. The prayer of the Pharisee was unacceptable
before God, for it was not accompanied with the incense of
the merits of Jesus Christ."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
on Luke
18:14.
How is the craving for righteousness rewarded? Matt. 5:6.
THINK IT THROUGH Is there a danger that some Christians today might think
of themselves as better than other Christians because of
the church they belong to or the position they hold in the
church?
"The sense of need, the recognition
of our poverty and sin, is the very first
condition of acceptance with God.
'Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.' Matt. 5:3."
—"Christ's Object Lessons," page 152.
"But we must have a knowledge of
ourselves, a knowledge that will result
in contrition, before we can find pardon
and peace. The Pharisee felt no convic-
tion of sin. The Holy Spirit could not
work with him. His soul was encased in
a self-righteous armor which the arrows
of God, barbed and true-aimed by an-
gel hands, failed to penetrate. It is
only he who knows himself to be a sin-
ner that Christ can save. He came 'to
heal the broken-hearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recov-
ering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty them that are bruised.' Luke
4:18. But 'they that are whole need not
a physician.' Luke 5:31. We must know
our real condition, or we shall not feel
our need of Christ's help. We must
understand our danger, or we shall not
flee to the refuge. We must feel the pain
of our wounds, or we shall not desire
healing."—"Christ's Object Lessons,"
page 158.
41
The Sinner Justified
LESSON 5
❑
Thursday
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God."
In the Old Testament the Messiah was described as "the
Prince of Peace." Isa. 9:6. It was His mission to restore to
earth and heaven the peace that was broken by the entrance
of sin. It is disobedience that has produced the discord be-
tween God and man. Sin has separated us from God; and
there can be no peace, for we look upon Him as our enemy.
Rom. 8:7. But through Jesus Christ we are justified of our
guilt and cleansed of our sin (1 John 1:9), and once again we
can be at peace with our Creator. We may have thought of
God as our worst enemy, but now we know Him to be our
best Friend. More than this, "We have access by faith into this
grace," and "rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
How does Paul describe the condition of the man who is
at peace with God? Rom. 4:6-8.
What visible evidence testifies that a man has been made
right with God? Phil. 1:10, 11.
Part 5
NO LONGER
ENEMIES
Romans 5:1, 2
THINK IT THROUGH Why is "blessedness" an apt description for the state of
the forgiven sinner?
"You are a sinner. You cannot atone
for your past sins; you cannot change
your heart and make yourself holy. But
God promises to do all this for you
through Christ. You believe that prom-
ise. You confess your sins and give
yourself to God. You will to serve
Him. Just as surely as you do this, God
will fulfill His word to you. If you be-
lieve the promise,—believe that you are
forgiven and cleansed,—God supplies
the fact; you are made whole, just as
Christ gave the paralytic power to walk
when the man believed that he was
healed. It is so if you believe it."—
"Steps to Christ," page 51.
42
"Faith is the condition upon which
God has seen fit to promise pardon to
sinners; not that there is any virtue in
faith whereby salvation is merited, but
because faith can lay hold of the merits
of Christ, the remedy provided for sin.
Faith can present Christ's perfect obe-
dience instead of the sinner's trans-
gression and defection. When the sin-
ner believes that Christ is his personal
Saviour, then according to His unfailing
promises, God pardons his sin and jus-
tifies him freely."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments, "SDA Bible Commentary," Vol.
6, p. 1073.
The Sinner Justified
LESSON 5
❑
Friday
Part 6
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,
FREE AT LAST but after the Spirit.
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death.
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the like-
ness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh:
"That the righteousness of the law might he fulfilled
Romans 8:1-4 in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
To understand this passage better read Rom. 7:14-25 and
then read again Rom. 8:1-4. Notice that in verse one of chap-
ter 8 Paul does not say that we no longer deserve condemna-
tion, for we certainly do. Nor does he say that we will not sin
again or that we are good enough to be saved. "When it is in
the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end,
Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service,
and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit."
—
Selected Messages,
Bk. 1, p. 382.
Jesus came to this earth "in the likeness of sinful flesh" that
He might condemn "sin in the flesh." He took sin upon Him-
self, felt its effects, experienced the condemnation it brings,
died because of it. God's character is vindicated, justice is
satisfied, and the accuser of the brethren is cast down (Rev.
12:10), and his accusations discredited. The way is clear for
the salvation of every sinner who comes to Christ in faith.
What enables us to live a life acceptable to God? 2 Cor.
5:14.
THINK IT THROUGH How can I know if my actions are controlled by the love
of Christ?
"The law requires righteousness,—a
righteous life, a perfect character; and
this man has not to
give.
He cannot
meet the claims of God's holy law. But
Christ, coming to the earth as man,
lived a holy life, and developed a per-
fect character. These He offers as a free
gift to all who will receive them. His
life stands for the life of men. Thus they
have remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God. More
than this, Christ imbues men with the
attributes of God. He builds up the
human character after the similitude of
the divine character, a goodly fabric
of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus
the very righteousness of the law is
fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God
can 'be just, and the justifier of him
which believeth in Jesus.' Rom. 3:26."
—"The Desire of Ages," page 762.
43
The Sinner Justified
LESSON 5
Part 7 G SUMMARY QUESTIONS G A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
Which New Testament writer was the greatest exponent of the doc-
trine of justification by faith)
2.
What man was given the title "a father of many nations"? (A) Adam;
(B) Jacob; (C) Moses; (D) Abraham
3.
Complete: "For by grace are ye saved through
; and that
not of yourselves: it is the
3)
4.
The Pharisee who went up to the temple to pray was not justified be-
cause he: (A) was too sinful; (B) was self-righteous; (C) left his eyes
open while he prayed; (D) was insincere
5.
Complete: "Therefore being
by faith, we have
with
through our Lord Jesus Christ."
6.
To the Christian, righteousness means: (A) conformity to accepted
customs; (B) conformity to the rules of a church; (C) conformity to the
laws of government; (D) conformity to the principles of the kingdom of
heaven
THE SECOND MILE
0 DAILY STUDY HELPS
S
"Education," pages 28, 29.
M
"Selected Messages/' Bk. 1, pp. 373-376.
T
"Selected Messages," Bk. 1, pp. 389-394.
W
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 150-157. (1923 ed., pages 151-158.)
T
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 158-163. (1923 ed., pages 158-165.)
F
"Steps to Christ," pages 23-28. ("Repentance," first third of chapter.)
(9)
!p00
`aaead
VaglIsnr (S) !Ei (t) !POO Jo
ula
(E)
!cl
(z) !Irma (j)
:
SIOMSUV
44
LESSON 6
February 7
THE MIRACLE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
tea
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted
and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abound-
ing therein with thanksgiving." Col. 2:6, 7.
The miracle of spiritual growth begins
at conversion and continues throughout the
believer's life. It is the gradual building of
a Christlike character produced by the be-
liever's submission to the grace of God.
This miracle is often called sanctification;
and it means perfect love, obedience, and
conformity to God's will. It is called a
miracle in this lesson because it is the result
of the supernatural power of God working
out His will in our lives.
KEY WORDS
1.
Sanctification.
The Greek word for
sanctification, also translated "holiness,"
describes both the
process
of obtaining
holiness and the resultant
state
of holiness.
If a distinction is to be made between jus-
tification and sanctification, it might be
said that justification focuses attention on
the sinner's release from a state of unrigh-
teousness, and sanctification on his becom-
ing and being righteous.
2.
New Testament Terms for Sancti-
fication.
New Testament writers use such
expressions as: following after righteous-
ness, walking in newness of life, growing
up into Christ, growing in grace, adding
grace to grace, being built up, strengthened,
and established, being transformed, partak-
ing of the divine nature, perfecting holiness
—until the Christian is "complete in all the
will of God." Col. 4:12.
3.
Terms Used in These Lessons.
In
this series of lessons "justification" (Les-
son 5) refers to the transition from a life
dedicated to the pursuit of sin to one dedi-
cated to the pursuit of righteousness. "Sanc-
tification" refers to the process of character
transformation that accompanies a normal
Christian experience.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
What Sanctification Is
Phil. 3:12-15
2.
The Fight of Faith
1 Tim. 6:11, 12
3.
What Sanctification Accomplishes
James 1:2-5
4.
The Garment of Holiness
Matt. 22:2, 11, 12
5.
The Failure of Self-righteousness
Rom. 10:1-3
6.
Faultless at His Coming
1 Thess. 3:11-13
45
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
LESSON 6
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may appre-
WHAT hend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ
SANCTIFICATION IS Jesus.
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but
this one thing I do, forgetting, those things which are be-
hind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before,
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.
"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God
Phil. 3:12-15 shall reveal even this unto you."
Paul had been a Christian for many years when he wrote
this passage; yet at no point during those years did he say,
"I am sinless," or "I have reached the goal." Rather, he is
pushing forward "if that I may apprehend that for which also
I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." To be apprehended by
Christ means to be seized and held by Him. Here Paul refers
to his conversion. This is the moving power in his life. Now
his only goal is to fulfill the ideal that Christ had for him.
What is Paul's attitude toward his previous labors? Verse
13.
Paul is not ashamed of his past life as a Christian. But he
cannot be satisfied with what he has done. He must press on
toward the goal which is continually advancing before him.
Akbar, the ancient Mogul emperor, said, "I have lived a long
time, but I have yet to see a man lost on a straight road."
What is the prize the Christian is to seek after? Verse 14;
see also 2 Tim. 2:10.
THINK IT THROUGH Why can we not rely on a past experience to get us into
the kingdom of heaven?
"The Scriptures plainly show that
the work of sanctification is progres-
sive. When in conversion the sinner
finds peace with God through the blood
of the atonement, the Christian life has
but just begun. Now he is to 'go on
unto perfection;' to grow up 'unto the
measure of the stature of the fullness
of Christ.'"—"The Great Controversy,"
page 470.
"The leaven hidden in the flour
works invisibly to bring the whole mass
under its leavening process; so the
46
leaven of truth works secretly, silently,
steadily, to transform the soul. The
natural inclinations are softened and
subdued. New thoughts, new feelings,
new motives, are implanted. A new
standard of character is set up—the life
of Christ. The mind is changed; the
faculties are roused to action in new
lines.
Man is not endowed with new
faculties, but the faculties he has are
sanctified. The conscience is awakened."
—"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 98,
99.
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
LESSON 6
❑
Monday
Part 2
"But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things; and follow
after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meek-
THE FIGHT ness.
OF FAITH
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good
1 Tim. 6:11, 12 profession before many witnesses."
Paul often used vigorous terms in speaking of the Christian
life: "flee," "follow after," "fight," "lay hold of." In the pre-
vious verses he warned Timothy of the dangers of seeking
after material security. See verses 3-10. He says, "Flee these
things" which would keep the Christian back, and "lay hold
on eternal life."
It is not enough that a man of God flee evil things. The
evil must be replaced with good. Verse 11. We are to "hunger
and thirst" for righteousness (Matt. 5:6) ; we are to live "in
all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:2) ; we are to exercise
faith (Heb. 10:38) ; we are to remember that all other quali-
ties are but meaningless noise without love (1 Cor. 13:1) ; we
are reminded that we need patience and endurance (James
1:3) ; meekness is a virtue which we should feel in our heart
in relation to God and His work (Matt. 5:5). The Christian
is to fight the fight of faith. But this fight is a "good fight,"
for we have a worthy cause. We are in the right. Satan is in
the wrong. More than this, the good fight is a "fight of
faith." Our weapons are not of our own making. Salvation
is of the Lord, not men.
How only can we be assured of victory? Col. 2:6, 7.
In what other words does Paul describe the work of sanc-
tification? 2 Cor. 7:1.
THINK IT THROUGH Against what or whom is a Christian to fight?
"A noble character is earned by in-
dividual effort through the merits and
grace of Christ. God gives the talents,
the powers of the mind; we form the
character. It is formed by hard, stern
battles with self. Conflict after conflict
must be waged against hereditary
tendencies. We shall have to criticize
ourselves closely, and allow not one
unfavorable trait to remain uncor-
rected."—"Christ's Object Lessons," page
331.
"Sanctification consists in the cheer-
ful performance of daily duties in
perfect obedience to the will of God."
—"Ibid.," p. 360.
"True sanctification is an entire con-
formity to the will of God."—"The Sanc-
tified Life," puge 9.
47
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
LESSON 6
❑
Tuesday
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations;
"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh
patience.
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may
be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him."
It is the lot of every Christian to "fall into divers tempta-
tions," but this is not to be a source of discouragement. "Count
it all joy," says James, for the "trying of your faith worketh
patience." The word "patience" is from a Greek term which
means steadfastness or endurance. It emphasizes not merely
passive submission but an active staying power that makes us
triumphant over our temptations. See Rom. 2:7; Heb. 10:36.
What example of character transformation is seen in one
of Christ's disciples? Mark 3:17; John 13:23.
"John did not naturally possess the loveliness of character
that his later experience revealed. By nature he had serious
defects. He was not only proud, self-assertive, and ambitious
for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injury. He and
his brother were called 'sons of thunder.' Evil temper, the
desire for revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the
beloved disciple. But beneath all this the divine Teacher dis-
cerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 540.
Another outstanding example of divine discipline and its
consequences is found in the life of Jacob. Without the long
testing Jacob experienced, he would never have become the
overcomer, a type of the victorious saints. Read
Patriarchs and
Prophets,
pages 237, 238.
What discipline is often necessary in the process of sanc-
tification? Heb. 12:5, 6, 11; Rev. 3:19.
Part 3
WHAT
SANCTIFICATION
ACCOMPLISHES
James 1:2-5
THINK IT THROUGH Can we use a poor upbringing as an excuse for defects
in our character?
"Before we are delivered from Sa-
tan's power without, we must be deliv-
ered from his power within. The Lord
permits trials in order that we may be
cleansed from earthliness, from selfish-
ness, from harsh, un-Christlike traits of
character. He suffers the deep waters
of affliction to go over our souls in
order that we may know Him and Jesus
Christ whom He has sent, in order that
48
we may have deep heart longings to
be cleansed from defilement, and may
come forth from the trial purer, holier,
happier. Often we enter the furnace of
trial with our souls darkened with sel-
fishness; but if patient under the crucial
test, we shall come forth reflecting the
divine character."—"Christ's Object Les-
sons," pages 174, 175.
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
LESSON 6
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king,
which made a marriage for his son."
THE GARMENT
"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
OF HOLINESS there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
"And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in
hither not having a wedding garment? And he was
Matt. 22:2, 11, 12 speechless."
Extensive wardrobes went with wealth in the East, and
great honor was attached to wearing a robe worn and given
by a king. Even a beggar thus attired was as honored as roy-
alty. In the parable of the wedding feast the king provided
robes for his guests that all could be appropriately clothed.
When all was in readiness, the king came in.
What did the king discover when he entered the room?
Verse 11.
"By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the
pure, spotless character which Christ's true followers will
possess. . . . It is the righteousness of Christ, His own un-
blemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who
receive Him as their personal
Saviour."—Christ's Object Les-
sons,
page 310.
What was done with the unworthy guest? Matt. 22:13.
When our eternal destiny is decided, we will be acceptable
to God only if we are clothed in the perfect righteousness of
Jesus Christ. How wonderful if we can say, "He hath cov-
ered me with the robe of righteousness." Isa. 61:10.
THINK IT THROUGH How do we secure the wedding garment of Christ's righ-
teousness?
"Many have an idea that they must
do some part of the work alone. They
have trusted in Christ for the forgive-
ness of sin, but now they seek by their
own efforts to live aright. But every
such effort must fail. Jesus says, 'With-
out Me ye can do nothing.' Our growth
in grace, our joy, our usefulness,—all
depend upon our union with Christ. It
is by communion with Him, daily,
hourly,—by abiding in Him,—that we
are to grow in grace. He is not only the
Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It
is Christ first and last and always. He
is to be with us, not only at the begin-
ning and the end of our course, but at
every step of the way."—"Steps to
Christ," page 69.
"When we submit ourselves to Christ,
the heart is united with His heart, the
will is merged in His will, the mind
becomes one with His mind, the
thoughts are brought into captivity to
Him; we live His life. This is what it
means to be clothed with the garment
of His righteousness."—"Christ's Object
Lessons," page 312.
49
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
LESSON 6
❑
Thursday
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for
Israel is, that they might be saved.
"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God,
but not according to knowledge.
"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and
going about to establish their own righteousness, have
not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
In the first part of Romans 10 Paul describes the great
difference between the righteousness which is of the law and
the righteousness which is of faith in Jesus Christ. To illustrate
his point he refers to the Israelites. Whatever virtues the Jews
possessed, they clearly did not find salvation by their works.
Paul commends them that they have a "zeal of God," but this
zeal was not "according to knowledge." Jesus Christ came to
the Jews and proved Himself to be the Son of God, giving
them the most convincing evidence of His Messiahship. Yet
they refused to accept Him. They shut their eyes against the
truth, and their zeal for the law became blind groping.
What errors led the Jews to reject the righteousness of-
fered by God? Verse 3.
Into what danger are we likely to fall today if we do
not submit to God's righteousness? Rev. 3:17.
This text reveals the inevitable delusion which accompanies
self-righteousness. "Self-righteousness is not true righteousness,
and those who cling to it will be left to take the consequences
of holding a fatal deception."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page
279.
Part 5
THE FAILURE OF
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Rom. 10:1-3
THINK IT THROUGH What solemn pronouncement will be given just before
the coming of Christ? Rev. 22:11.
There will doubtless be many excluded from heaven who
thought themselves well-suited because of their own good
works. But in the day of judgment they find that they are not
properly clothed and that their own righteousness is but as
filthy rags which cannot hide their defilement.
"The effort to earn salvation by one's
own works inevitably leads men to
pile up human exactions as a barrier
against sin. For, seeing that they fail
to keep the law, they will devise rules
and regulations of their own to force
themselves to obey. All this turns the
mind away from God to self. His love
dies out of the heart, and with it
50
perishes love for his fellowmen."—
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,"
page 123.
"There will be no future probation
in which to prepare for eternity. It is
in this life that we are to put on
the robe of Christ's righteousness."—
"Christ's Object Lessons," page 319.
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
LESSON 6
❑
Friday
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus
Christ, direct our way unto you.
"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in
love one toward another, and toward all men, even as
we do toward you:
"To the end He may stablish your hearts unblamable
in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
We have studied in this lesson what is involved in the
miracle of spiritual growth. Now we turn to a number of texts
which describe the end result of sanctification: "Not having
spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Eph. 5:27. "That ye
may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Col.
4:12. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the
glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory
to glory." 2 Cor. 3:18. "To the end He may stablish your
hearts unblamable in holiness before God." 1 Thess. 3:13.
The last quotation is in the form of a prayer in which Paul
requests two things. First, he desires that the Thessalonians
might "increase and abound in love one toward another, and
toward all men." Verse 12. Love is an evidence that the miracle
of spiritual growth is taking place in the life. The closer we
come to Jesus Christ, the more loving we will be toward our
fellowmen. Second, he prays that they might be established
"unblamable in holiness." Verse 13. The more we grow in
grace, the more we are established and confirmed in God's way
of life.
When will the process of sanctification be complete? Jude
24.
What reason does Peter give why we should seek holi-
ness? 1 Peter 1:15, 16.
Part 6
FAULTLESS
AT HIS COMING
1 Thess. 3:11-13
THINK IT THROUGH Am I increasing daily in love and holiness? What evi-
dence of this is seen in my life?
"A character formed according to
the divine likeness is the only treasure
that we can take from this world to the
next. Those who are under the instruc-
tion of Christ in this world will take
every divine attainment with them to
the heavenly mansions. And in heaven
we are continually to improve. How
important, then, is the development of
character in this life."—"Christ's Object
Lessons," page 332.
"Let us keep our eyes fixed upon
Christ, and He will preserve us. Look-
ing unto Jesus, we are safe. Nothing
can pluck us out of His hand."—"Steps
to Christ," page 72.
51
The Miracle of Spiritual Growth
LESSON 6
Part 7 <> SUMMARY QUESTIONS G A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
True or False: Justification always precedes sanctification
2.
Complete:
"I
press toward the mark for the prize of the
of God in Christ Jesus."
3.
Which of Christ's disciples described himself as one "whom Jesus
loved"'P
4.
Complete: "As many as
I
love
I
and
5.
The wedding garment in the parable of the wedding feast represented:
(A) the righteousness of Christ; (B) the natural righteousness possessed
by every man; (C) the justice of God;
(D)
living without sin in our own
strength
6.
True or False: The process of sanctification will continue as long as life
shall last
THE SECOND MILE 0
DAILY STUDY HELPS
S
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 560-565.
M "Christ's Object Lessons," page 330-333. (1923 ed., pages 332-335.)
T
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 539-545.
W
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 310-315. (1923 ed., pages 317-321.)
T
"Selected Messages," Bk. 1, pp. 365-368.
F "Steps to Christ," pages 67-75. ("Growing Up Into Christ.")
vn.ij, (9) :If (9) :ualsetp ‘a3inqai (b) :utiof (9) :2umeo T.Mt{ (z)
(I) :siatAsuV
52
February 14
CONFIDENCE IN GOD
7
LESSON 7
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.
Faith, a gift of God, is available to all.
For this reason every man is said to have
a measure of faith. Rom. 12:3. "But the
power to exercise it is ours. Faith is the
hand by which the soul takes hold upon
the divine offers of grace and mercy."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 431.
KEY WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
1.
Author.
The word "author" in Heb.
12:2 is from a Greek word which means
"leader," "chief," "founder," "originator."
The Greeks used this word in designating
the progenitor of a clan, in speaking of
heroes, and as a divine name for Apollo.
Christ is the "founder," or "source," of our
faith. He is also its "finisher," or "com-
pleter."
2.
Temptation.
In the Greek New Tes-
tament this word always means "test,"
"trial," "affliction," "trouble," an "entice-
ment" to sin. In addition to "temptation"
in the usual sense it includes such trials and
tests as sickness, persecution, poverty, and
calamity of various kinds. God tests a per-
son in order to strengthen and develop
character, whereas Satan confronts a man
with tests in order to break down and de-
stroy character.
3.
Take No Thought.
The Greek ex-
pression means literally "not to care for,"
"to be anxious," "to be troubled [with
cares]," "to think earnestly upon." In Old
English "take no thought" meant "do not
be anxious" about it.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Faith Defined
Heb. 10:38 to 11:1
2.
Faith, an Essential Gift
Heb. 11:5, 6
3.
The Test of Faith
James 2:14-18
4.
The Source of Faith
Rom. 10:17
Heb. 12:2
Gal. 5:22
5.
Faith and Life's Necessities
Matt. 6:3143
6.
Well-placed Confidence
1 Peter 5:6, 7
53
Confidence in God
LESSON 7
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw
back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.
FAITH
"But we are not of them who draw back unto perdi.
DEFINED tion; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
Heb. 10:38 to 11:1
evidence of things not seen."
Two blind men came to Jesus one day asking for mercy,
which to them could only mean the restoration of their sight.
Jesus asked them, "Believe ye that I am able to do this?"
They answered Him, "Yea, Lord." Then He touched their eyes
and said, "According to your faith be it unto you." Matt.
9:28, 29.
Our capacity to receive the boundless blessings of heaven is
determined by our faith in Him. We may be just as much in
need of divine mercy as were these blind men. Are we spiritu-
ally impoverished, defeated, unfruitful in service, or unhappy
in soul, in home, in church, or in society? Are we "wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked"? Rev. 3:17.
Then we also must cry out for mercy, and God will say to us,
"According to your faith be it unto you."
What is faith? Heb. 11:1.
This outstanding text does not really give us a formal defini-
tion of faith, but rather a description of what it does for the
believer. The Greek word
hupostasis,
translated "substance," is
used in the ancient papyri when referring to the legal docu-
ments by which a person proved his ownership of property.
Obviously the documents were not the actual property, but
they provided evidence of its existence and of his right to it.
Accordingly,
hupostasis
might here be rendered "title deed"—
faith is the title deed of things hoped for.
The word translated "evidence" means "proof," "convic-
tion." Genuine faith rests upon a firm underlying "substance"
of sufficient evidence to warrant confidence in what is not yet
seen.
THINK IT THROUGH To what does Paul compare faith? Eph. 6:16; 1 Thess.
5:8.
The heavy Roman shield was large enough to protect the
whole body against "fiery darts," which were arrows with red-
hot points or bound in burning tar. The breastplate was a
leather or metal coat worn to protect the body.
"Faith looks beyond the difficulties,
and lays hold of the unseen, even Om-
nipotence, therefore it cannot be baf-
fled. Faith is the clasping of the hand of
Christ in every emergency."—"Gospel
Workers," page 262.
54
"Genuine faith is life. A living faith
means an increase of vigor, a confiding
trust, by which the soul becomes a con-
quering power."—"The Desire of Ages,"
page 347.
Confidence in God
LESSON 7
❑
Monday
Part 2
"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see
death; and was not found, because God had translated
FAITH, him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that
AN ESSENTIAL GIFT he pleased God.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for
he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that
Heb. 11:5, 6 He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
Faith is an essential gift, for "without faith it is impossible
to please Him." God is infinite, divine; we are mortal, finite.
Consequently there are many things which we cannot know
about God unless we accept them by faith. To take God at
His word is the most exalted exercise that the human mind
can perform.
What two things are we to believe about God? Verse 6.
Compare Heb. 11:6 with Rom. 1:17 and Rom. 5:2. Note
the reasoning in these texts: (a)- It is impossible (a strong
word used also in Heb. 6:4, 18) to come to God without faith
(Heb. 11:6). (b) The righteousness of God in the gospel "is
revealed through faith for faith" (Rom. 1:17, RSV) ; that is,
faith leads us progressively near to God. (c) It is by faith that
we have access into the grace of God and by faith we con-
tinue to "stand" and rejoice in the glorious hope. Rom. 5:2.
Faith gets us started, provides the power, and clears the way
to God.
THINK IT THROUGH Why is God so insistent that we have faith in Him?
How can we develop faith in a God whom we have never
seen?
"God never asks us to believe, with-
out giving sufficient evidence upon
which to base our faith. His existence,
His character, the truthfulness of His
Word, are all established by testimony
that appeals to our reason; and this
testimony is abundant. Yet God has
never removed the possibility of doubt.
Our faith must rest upon evidence,
not demonstration. Those who wish to
doubt will have opportunity; while
those who really desire to know the
truth will find plenty of evidence on
which to rest their faith."—"Steps to
Christ," page 105.
"God never leads His children other-
wise than they would choose to be led,
if they could see the end from the be-
ginning, and discern the glory of the
purpose which they are fulfilling as co-
workers with Him."—"The Desire of
Ages," pages 224, 225.
55
Confidence in God
LESSON 7
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say
he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
THE TEST
"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily
OF FAITH food,
"And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be
ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not
those things which are needful to the body; what doth it
profit?
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being
alone.
"Yea, a man may say, Thou host faith, and I have
works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will
James 2:14-18 show thee my faith by my works."
Some have concluded that this passage contradicts Paul's
teaching that a man shall live by faith alone. However, James
is not saying that works save a person, but that the test of
one's faith is his actions. Paul is talking of justification; James
is talking of morality. True religion is both devotion and duty.
Profession without practice is not enough. James argues his
point by saying that a man of faith would not tell a starving
person that he ought to eat and then allow him to walk away
without giving him food. How could a person who would do
this have real faith in a God who gave His life for humanity?
True faith produces a corresponding practice.
What does Paul say is the condition of faith that does
not work? Verse 17.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the relation of faith to love? Gal. 5:6.
"Genuine faith will be manifested
in good works; for good works are the
fruits of faith. As God works in the
heart, and man surrenders his will to
God, and cooperates with God, he
works out in the life what God works
in by the Holy Spirit, and there is har-
mony between the purpose of the heart
and the practice of the life."—"Selected
Messages," Bk. 1, p. 397.
"Some were reproved for their un-
belief, others for having been slothful
56
servants. They had allowed others to
do the work in the Master's vineyard,
and to bear the heaviest responsibili-
ties, while they were selfishly serving
their own temporal interests. Had they
cultivated the abilities God had given
them, they could have been reliable
burden bearers, working for the inter-
est of the Master. Said the Judge: 'All
will be justified by their faith and
judged by their works.' "—"Testimo-
nies," Vol. 4,
p. 386.
Confidence in God
LESSON 7
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
THE SOURCE
OF FAITH
Rom. 10:17
Heb. 12:2
Gal. 5:22
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God."
"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God."
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-
suffering, gelifiess, goodness, faith."
How do we obtain faith? (1) "Faith cometh by hearing ...
the Word of God." Rom. 10:17. Genuine faith is not a blind
groping about in the absence of adequate evidence. True faith
is a conviction that is founded upon knowledge based upon
the Word of God. See 2 Tim. 3:15. (2) Jesus is "the Author
and Finisher of our faith." Heb. 12:2. If we read the Scrip-
tures with an honest heart, we will become established in our
faith in Jesus as He is revealed to us. He becomes then not
only the Author of faith but the Finisher. He will fill us with
faith, keep us in the faith, and finally reward our faith. (3)
Faith is a "fruit of the Spirit." Gal. 5:22. It is by the Spirit
that Christ is made to "dwell in your hearts by faith." Eph.
3:17.
What does our faith enable Christ to do in and for us?
Gal. 2:20.
THINK IT THROUGH
Since the Bible is so readily available today, why is there
so little faith in God?
"The Scriptures are the great agency
in the transformation of character.
Christ prayed, 'Sanctify them through
Thy truth; Thy Word is truth.' John
17:
17. If studied and obeyed, the Word
of God works in the heart, subduing
every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit
comes to convict of sin, and the faith
that springs up in the heart works by
love to Christ, conforming us in body,
soul, and spirit to His own image. Then
God can use us to do His will."—
"Christ's Object Lessons," page 100.
"It is through the Word that Christ
abides in His followers. This is the same
vital union that is represented by eat-
ing His flesh and drinking His blood.
The words of Christ are spirit and life.
Receiving them, you receive the life
of the Vine. You live 'by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of
God.' Matt. 4:4. The life of Christ in
you produces the same fruits as in
Him. Living in Christ, adhering to
Christ, supported by Christ, drawing
nourishment from Christ, you bear fruit
after the similitude of Christ."—"The
Desire of Ages," page 677.
57
Confidence in God
LESSON 7
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we
eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we
FAITH AND be clothed?
LIFE'S NECESSITIES
"(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for
your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righ-
Matt. 6:31-33 teousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
In Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus discredits the accumulation of
worldly goods. He indicates that it is far more valuable to store
up treasure in heaven than on earth. The Christian should not
be indolent in providing for the needs of his family (1 Thess.
4:11; 1 Tim. 5:8), but if the accumulation of material wealth
becomes the focal point of life, then the emphasis is wrong.
How, then, can we be sure that the necessities of life will be
provided us? The answer is found in Matt. 6:31-33.
What is to be the Christian's first desire? Verse 33.
The Christian should realize that anxiety is wasted energy
if it is directed to such things as lie beyond his control. There
are some things which should be left to God to care for. It will
be a joyful surprise to find how all of life fits into place and
everything is provided for when we seek first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness.
What is the role of faith in overcoming obstacles and dan-
gers? Matt. 17:20.
THINK IT THROUGH If we have sufficient faith, will God remove all trials and
suffering from our lives?
"If you will seek the Lord and be
converted every day; if you will of your
own spiritual choice be free and joyous
in God; if with gladsome consent of
heart to His gracious call you come
wearing the yoke of Christ,—the yoke
of obedience and service,—all your
murmurings will be stilled, all your dif-
ficulties will be removed, all the per-
plexing problems that now confront
58
you will be solved."—"Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing," page 101.
"It is the work of faith to rest in God
in the darkest hour, to feel, however
sorely tried and tempest-tossed, that
our Father is at the helm. The eye of
faith alone can look beyond the things
of time to estimate aright the worth of
the eternal riches."—"The Acts of the
Apostles," pages 575, 576.
Confidence in God
LESSON 7
❑
Friday
Part 6
WELL-PLACED
CONFIDENCE
1 Peter 5:6, 7
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand
of God, that He may exalt you in due time:
"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for
you."
This passage is an allusion to Ps. 55:22: "Cast thy burden
upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." Compare Ps. 37:5.
How is it that we can cast all our care upon God without
fear? Because "He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7. God is willing
to take from us all our care because He loves us. What we
fear, He will either remove or give us added strength to bear.
He will order all events so as to convince us of His tender,
fatherly love toward us. No evil, no danger, shall come to us
but that it shall be for our best good. Rom. 8:28.
What further assurance is given us of God's care? Heb.
13:5.
The author here takes a promise made to several of the
greatest men of the Old Testament (see Gen. 28:15; Joshua
1:5; Gen. 26:24) and applies it, in strengthened words, to the
life of every Christian. Compare the promise in similar form
in 1 Chron. 28:20 and Isa. 41:17. This teaching of a personal,
unchanging, faithful God runs all through the Bible. Can we
not with the psalmist express our faith and trust in our Father
in these words: "This God is our God forever and ever: He
will be our Guide even unto death." Ps. 48:14.
Where do we draw the line between unnecessary worry
and appropriate concern about the future?
THINK IT THROUGH Do I really trust in God, or is this a meaningless concept
to me?
"Worry
is blind, and cannot discern
the future; but Jesus sees the end from
the beginning. In every difficulty He has
His way prepared to bring relief. Our
heavenly Father has a thousand ways
to provide for us, of which we know
nothing. Those who accept the one prin-
ciple of making the service and honor
of God supreme will find perplexities
vanish, and a plain path before their
feet."—"The Desire of Ages," page 330.
"There is in genuine faith a buoy-
ancy, a steadfastness of principle, and
a fixedness of purpose that neither
time nor toil can weaken."—"Christ's
Object Lessons," page 147.
"He [Christ] knew that the life of His
trusting disciples would be like His, a
series of uninterrupted victories, not
seen to be such here, but recognized
as such in the great hereafter."—"The
Desire of Ages," page 679.
59
Confidence in God
LESSON 7
Part 7 <> SUMMARY QUESTIONS <> A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
It is impossible to please God without
2.
To which two implements of war does Paul liken faith? (1)
(2)
3.
Which Bible writer emphasized the relationship of faith and works?
4.
Complete: "Faith cometh by
, and hearing by the
of
5.
Complete: "But seek ye
the kingdom of God, and His
; and all these things shall be
unto you."
6.
The most famous description of faith is found in (A) Rev. 12:17;
(B) Matt. 9:29; (C) Rom. 1:17; (D) Heb. 11•1
THE SECOND MILE I> DAILY
STUDY HELPS
S
"The Desire of Ages," pages 342-348.
M
"Steps to Christ," pages 105-113. ("What to Do With Doubt.")
T
"Selected Messages," Bk. 1, pp. 397, 398.
W
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 100-102. (1923 ed., pages 98, 99.)
T
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 98-101. (1943 ed,,
pages 147-150.)
F
"The Desire of Ages," pages 328-332.
•
Q 9
() :pe `al
-Op 1s19 (9) !pop 'Nom '2upeaq (t) :salmi (9) !a4e/d4suaiq Inams (z) :twej
pa
(
p
I) :
ssausno
s.ratAsuv
60
LESSON 8
February 21
LOVE, THE CROWNING VIRTUE
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Eph. 4:32.
The whole of Christian thought is con-
tained in the words "God is love." 1 John
4:8. In the Bible this love is expressed in
many ways, but it finds its supreme ex-
ample in the plan of salvation and in the
life of Jesus—"God so loved the world, that
He gave His only-begotten Son." John
3:16. A deeper appreciation of the love of
God should create in man a greater re-
sponse of love which is synonymous with
obedience.
KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
1. Love
and
Charity.
These words are
translated from a word whose wealth of
meaning is difficult to express in English.
The expression in Greek is not an affection-
ate, sentimental love based on the feelings,
subject to change as the feelings change,
but is essentially an expression of the higher
powers of the mind and intelligence. In the
New Testament it is altogether selfless and
reflects a considered interest in the happi-
ness and well-being of others, in recognition
of their intrinsic worth in God's sight. It
does not exclude feeling, but adds prin-
ciple to feeling in such a way that principle
controls feeling. It is love in its highest and
truest form. It is a divine principle of
thought and action that modifies the char-
acter, governs the impulses, controls the
passions, and ennobles the affections.
2. Set Your Affection On.
Here the
Greek word means "to think of," "to care
for," "to set the mind and heart on," "to
strive after." It represents the united action
of a person's affections and powers of rea
son, with emphasis on the role of intelli-
gence. In Col. 3:2 it might be translated,
"continually think of," or "continually pay
attention to."
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Love's Boundaries
Mait. 5:43-46
2.
God's Infinite Love
Rom. 5:5-8
3.
A Loving Response
John 14:15, 23, 24
4.
Loving One Another
John 13:34, 35
5.
Love's Expression
Luke 10:30-34
6.
The Supremacy of Love
1 Cor. 13:1-3, 13
61
Love, the Crowning Virtue
LESSON 8
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt
love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
LOVE'S
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them
BOUNDARIES that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
"That ye may be the children of your Father which
is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on
the unjust.
"For if ye love them which love you, what reward
Matt. 5:43-46 have ye? do not even the publicans the same?"
The Jews of Christ's time commonly taught that it was
their responsibility to love their neighbors, basing this teaching
on such texts as Lev. 19:18. But they understood that "neigh-
bor" referred only to those of their own country, nation, race,
and religion. Moreover, they inferred from the command,
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor," that they were also to hate
their enemies. They considered that since they alone were the
sons of Abraham they were superior to other men and there-
fore justified in feeling contempt for all heathen. It was this
false belief that Christ attempted to change when He said "I
say unto you, Love your enemies." He wanted His disciples
to know that love has no boundaries. See the
SDA Bible Com-
mentary
on verse 43 for a fuller explanation of the Greek
words for love and the limits of the English word love.
In what specific ways should the Christian show love for
his enemies? Verse 44.
What evidence does God give of His love for all people?
Verse 45.
THINK IT THROUGH Is it possible to love God and still hate certain people on
this earth?
"When love fills the heart, it will
flow out to others, not because of fa-
vors received from them, but because
love is the principle of action. Love
modifies the character, governs the im-
pulses, subdues enmity, and ennobles
the affections. This love is as broad as
the universe, and is in harmony with
that of the angel workers. Cherished
in the heart, it sweetens the entire life
and sheds its blessing upon all around."
62
—"Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-
ing," page 38.
"Love must be the principle of action.
Love is the underlying principle of
God's government in heaven and earth,
and it must be the foundation of the
Christian's character. This alone can
make and keep him steadfast. This
alone can enable him to withstand trial
and temptation."—"Christ's Object Les-
sons," page 49.
Love, the Crowning Virtue
LESSON 8
❑
Monday
Part 2
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which
GOD'S is given unto us.
INFINITE
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time
LOVE Christ died for the ungodly.
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet
peradventure for a good man some would even dare to
die.
"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,
Rom. 5:5-8 while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Once in a while a man will dare to die in behalf of another
good man, but God came down and died for us "while we
were yet sinners." He died for men who were guilty, vile,
obnoxious, and unthankful. That Christ should die for such
men as these is the greatest proof of the love of God.
How does John describe God's love? 1 John 4:8-10.
No deeper thought on love was ever penned than the three
words "God is love." "We must beware of watering down
'God is love' into 'God is loving,' or even 'God of all beings
is the most loving.' Love is not a mere
attribute
of God; like
light, it is His very
nature."—The Pulpit Commentary,
Vol.
22,p. 103.
How may we more fully understand and appreciate God's
love for us? Eph. 3:17-19.
THINK IT THROUGH Does God show preference in His love to any church, or
nation, or select individuals? Why do some countries
seem to be blessed more than others?
"By coming to dwell with us, Jesus
was to reveal God both to men and to
angels. He was the Word of God,—
God's thought made audible. . . . But
not alone for His earthborn children
was this revelation given. Our little
world is the lesson book of the uni-
verse. God's wonderful purpose of
grace, the mystery of redeeming love,
is the theme into which 'angels desire
to look,' and it will be their study
throughout endless ages. Both the re-
deemed and the unfallen beings will
find in the cross of Christ their science
and their song. It will be seen that the
glory shining in the face of Jesus is the
glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light
from Calvary it will be seen that the
law of self-renouncing love is the law
of life for earth and heaven; that the
love which 'seeketh not her own' has
its source in the heart of God; and that
in the meek and lowly One is mani-
fested the character of Him who dwell-
eth in the light which no man can
approach unto."—"The Desire of Ages,"
pages 19, 20.
63
Love, the Crowning Virtue
LESSON 8
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
"If ye love Me, keep My commandments."
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love
A LOVING Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love
RESPONSE him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode
with him.
"He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and
the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's
John 14:15, 23, 24 which sent Me."
Jesus clearly indicates in this passage that sincere love for
Him will lead us to do whatever He asks us to do: "This is
the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John
5:3. "Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true
sign of discipleship."—Steps
to Christ,
page 60.
Why does the natural man not place his affections upon
God and His law? John 3:19.
What advice is given the Christian concerning his affec-
tions? Col. 3:2; 1 John 2:15.
Anything worldly—companions, amusements, evil thinking,
the love of "filthy lucre," and all that is sinful—is called "the
love of the world" and is in opposition to "the love of the
Father." Read
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pages 458, 459.
THINK IT THROUGH Paul said we are to set our "affection on things above."
What are these "things"?
"Supreme love for God and unself-
ish love for one another—this .is the
best gift that our heavenly Father can
bestow. This love is not an impulse, but
a divine principle, a permanent power.
The unconsecrated heart cannot origi-
nate or produce it. Only in the heart
where Jesus reigns is it found. 'We love
Him, because He first loved us.' In
the heart renewed by divine grace,
love is the ruling principle of action. It
modifies the character, governs the
impulses, controls the passions, and en-
64
nobles the affections. This love, cher-
ished in the soul, sweetens the life
and sheds a refining influence on all
around."—"The Acts of the Apostles,"
page 551.
"Love is the basis of godliness. What-
ever the profession, no man has pure
love to God unless he has unselfish love
for
his
brother.... When self is merged
in Christ, love springs forth spontane-
ously."—"Christ's Object Lessons," page
384.
Love, the Crowning Virtue
LESSON 8
❑
Wednesday
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love
one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another.
"By'this shall all men know that ye are My disciples,
if ye have love one to another."
The new commandment that Jesus gave to His disciples
was not new in the sense that it never existed before. See Lev.
19:18. It was new because of the restored emphasis given to
it by Jesus and the new demonstration of love which the
disciples were encouraged to emulate.
At the time, the disciples found these words hard to under-
stand, but as they reflected upon them after the crucifixion
and resurrection they had a clearer conception of what Jesus
meant. They had witnessed with their own eyes the sufferings
of Christ in behalf of men. This demonstration of love pro-
duced a change in the lives of the disciples and the other
believers.
A writer declared with some astonishment in regard to these
early Christians, "They love each other even without being
acquainted with each other." And another scoffer said, "Their
Master has implanted the belief in them that they are all
brethren."
What strong incentive do we have for being merciful to
our fellowmen? Matt. 6:14, 15; Eph. 4:32.
What practical measure do we have by which to gauge
our love for others? Matt. 7:12.
It is not enough for a Christian to demonstrate his love for
God by obedience to the commandments. Sincere love for God
finds its truest expression in love for our fellowmen. See
Christ's
Object Lessons,
pages 384, 385.
Part 4
LOVING
ONE ANOTHER
John 13:34, 35
THINK IT THROUGH How can we learn to love someone that we dislike?
"In your association with others, put
yourself in their place. Enter into their
feelings, their difficulties, their disap-
pointments, their joys, and their sor-
rows. Identify yourself with them, and
then do to them as, were you to ex-
change places with them, you would
wish them to deal with you... .
"Oh, what rays of softness and
beauty shone forth in the daily life
of our Saviour! What sweetness flowed
from His very presence! The same spirit
will be revealed in His children. Those
with whom Christ dwells will be sur-
rounded with a divine atmosphere.
Their white robes of purity will be
fragrant with perfume from the garden
of the Lord. Their faces will reflect
light from His, brightening the path for
stumbling and weary feet."—"Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing," pages
134, 135.
65
Love, the Crowning Virtue
LESSON 8
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which
LOVE'S stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and de-
EXPRESSION parted, leaving him half dead.
"And by chance there came down a certain priest
that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the
other side.
"And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place,
came and looked on him, and passed by on the other
side.
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came
where he was: and when he saw him, he had compas-
sion on him,
"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pour-
ing in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and
Luke 10:30-34 brought him to an inn, and took care of him."
The parable of the Good Samaritan very aptly illustrates
the way in which sincere love for our fellowmen will find ex-
pression. Read the story in its entirety as found in Luke 10:
29-37.
After the priest and Levite passed by, what did the Samar-
itan do for the wounded man? Verses 33, 34.
With what question did Jesus bring the parable to a
close? Verses 36, 37.
This was an actual occurrence that took place near the city
of Jericho. Both the priest and the Levite involved in the
story were present when Jesus told the story. See
The Desire
of Ages,
page 499. A Samaritan was the last person from whom
a Jew would expect mercy and love; yet this man lived by
the golden rule and represents those who are truly imitating
Christ by following His example in doing good.
THINK IT THROUGH Have you been involved in an incident similar to this
parable? How did you respond?
"He showed that our neighbor does
not mean merely one of the church or
faith to which we belong. It has no
reference to race, color, or class dis-
tinction. Our neighbor is every person
who needs our help. Our neighbor is
every soul who is wounded and bruised
by the adversary. Our neighbor is ev-
eryone who is the property of God."
66
—"Christ's Object Lessons," page 376.
"Whatever the difference in religious
belief, a call from suffering humanity
must be heard and answered. Where
bitterness of feeling exists because of
difference in religion, much good may
be done by personal service. Loving
ministry will break down prejudice,
and win souls to God."—"Ibid.," p. 386.
Love, the Crowning Virtue
LESSON 8
❑
Friday
Part 6
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of
angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding
THE SUPREMACY brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
OF LOVE
"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and under-
stand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I
have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and
have not charity, I am nothing.
"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned, and have not
charity, it profiteth me nothing."
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
1 Cor. 13:1-3, 13
but the greatest of these is charity.
Only a man in whose heart the Spirit of God has performed
a marvelous work could write such words as these. Paul uses
over and over in 1 Corinthians 13 the Greek word
agape
to
explain the nature and value of love.
Agape
refers to a love
that finds its source in God's love. It is a love directed not by
feeling but by principle.
Why is love the greatest gift? Because love makes us like
God, "for God is love." 1 John 4:8. "For love is of God; and
everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
1 John 4:7.
What are the characteristics of love? 1 Cor. 13:4-8.
A noted Puritan preacher used to say that substituting our
individual name for "charity" in this passage (1 Cor. 13:4-8)
would make us all blush to think how far we fall short in the
practice of Christian love.
THINK IT THROUGH Someone has said, "God is more pleased with a loving
sinner than an unloving saint." Would you agree?
"In words which from that day to
this have been to men and women
a source of inspiration and encourage-
ment, Paul set forth the importance of
that love which should be cherished
by the followers of Christ. . . .
"No matter how high the profession,
he whose heart is not filled with love
for God and his fellowmen is not a
true disciple of Christ. Though he should
possess great faith and have power
even to work miracles, yet without love
his faith would be worthless. He might
display great liberality; but should he,
from some other motive than genuine
love, bestow all his goods to feed the
poor, the act would not commend him
to the favor of God. In his zeal he might
even meet a martyr's death, yet if not
actuated by love, he would be regarded
by God as a deluded enthusiast or an
ambitious hypocrite."—"The Acts of the
Apostles," pages 318, 319.
67
Love, The Crowning Virtue
LESSON 8
Part 7 G SUMMARY QUESTIONS G
A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
Complete: "If ye love Me,
If
2.
Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you." What was this
new commandment)
3.
True or False: The story of the Good Samaritan was an actual incident
that took place near Jericho
4.
True or False: The Christian should consider anyone who needs help
as his neighbor
5.
The most celebrated chapter on love is (A) Matthew 6, (B) Luke 10,
(C) 1 Corinthians 13, (D) Philippians 2
6.
Complete: "And now abideth
, these three; but the greatest of these is
THE SECOND MILE 4 DAILY STUDY HELPS
a
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 73-75. (1943 ect4,
pages 113-115.)
M
"Steps to Christ," pages 9-15. ("God's love for Man.")
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 384-389. (1923 ed., pages 391-395.)
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 550-552.
T
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 376-383. (1923 ed., pages 381-389.)
F
"Testimonies," Vol. 5, pp. 167-171.
•
Aluega 'A;gutia `adot1 'tore; (9)
!el
suappup
-o3 T
(c)
:any (q)
(g) Liatootre auo
amyl
(z) :suratupuetuxuoo Aye da
0
X (I) :siamsuEr
68
LESSON 9
February 28
OBEDIENCE THROUGH CHRIST
9
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and accepiabte, and perfect, will
of God." Rom. 12:2.
True obedience is more than conformity
to the law of God. It is a living response,
motivated by love, to the voice and words
of God. Sin disrupted the perfect commun-
ion between man and his Maker, but Christ
restored this relationship and made it pos-
sible again to be in harmony with God's
will. Every believer in God should face the
question: How faithful am I to my re-
sponsibilities as a child of God?
KEY WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
1.
Obey and Keep His Word.
The
usual Greek word for "obey" means lit-
erally "to listen submissively," that is, in
order to know what one should do. The
word for "keep" means "to keep watch
over," "to guard," "to protect," "to pay
attention to." Obedience, then, reflects dili-
gent purpose to know God's will and to
abide by it.
2.
Constraineth.
"The love of Christ
constraineth us." 2 Cor. 5:14. The word
translated "constraineth" means "to hold
together," "to hold fast," "to urge," "to
impel," "to control." Divine love not only
paid the penalty for our sins, so providing
justification, but also imparts power to
triumph over sin, so making sanctification
possible.
3.
Transformed.
The Greek
metainor-
phoo,
"to transform," is the source of our
word "metamorphosis." Each stage in the
metamorphosis of a butterfly represents a
complete change in nature and appearance.
Thus the pupa, for instance, is altogether
different from the preceding caterpillar
stage; and the mature butterfly, in turn, in
no way resembles the pupa. This is the
word used in Matt. 17:2 to describe the
transfiguration of Christ on the mountain;
and in Rom. 12:2 and 2 Cor. 3:18 of the
change that takes place in the Christian
whereby he comes to resemble Christ.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Obedience, the Test of Profession
Matt. 7:21-23
2.
In the Master's Steps
John 5:30; 6:38
3.
Constrained by Christ
2 Cor. 5:14, 17, 21
4.
What God Requires
James 1:22-25
5.
Living Without Sin
1 John 3:6-9
6.
When We Fail
1 John 1:9 to 2:1
69
Obedience Through Christ
LESSON 9
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
OBEDIENCE, THE will of My Father which is in heaven.
TEST OF PROFESSION
"Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we
not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have
cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful
works?
"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
Matt. 7:21-23 depart from Me, ye that work iniquity."
The passage above indicates that an outward profession
of religion, no matter how remarkable, will not assure en-
trance into heaven. There must also be a corresponding faith
in God which is evidenced by obedience, for the blessings of
salvation are promised only to 0"them that obey Him." Heb.
5:9.
When Christ returns, what reasons will many give why
they should be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Matt. 7:22.
Of what is obedience to God's revealed will the visible
evidence? John 14:15, 23, 24.
The RSV translation of John 14:15 reads: "If you love
Me, you will keep My commandments." Obedience is a nat-
ural response when love controls the life, and only when the
life is under love's control is obedience acceptable to God.
"God's law is fulfilled only as men love Him with heart,
mind, soul, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves. It
is the manifestation of this love that brings glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill to men. The
Lord is glorified when the great end of His law is attained."
—Testimonies,
Vol. 8, p. 139.
Those who walk the road to the kingdom will love their
brethren (1 John 4:20) and do God's will (John 9:31).
THINK IT THROUGH Why do many think they are eligible for salvation when
they are not? Could you be in this group?
"Profession is as nothing in the scale.
It is character that decides destiny."—
"Christ's Object Lessons," page 74.
"God does not force the will or judg-
ment of any. He takes no pleasure in
a slavish obedience. He desires that
the creatures of His hands shall love
Him because He is worthy of love. He
70
would have them obey Him because
they have an intelligent appreciation
of His wisdom, justice, and benevo-
lence. And all who have a just concep-
tion of these qualities will love Him
because they are drawn toward Him in
admiration of His attributes."—"The
Great Controversy," page 541.
Obedience Through Christ
LESSON 9
❑
Monday
Part 2
"I can of Mine own se.: do nothing: as I hear, I judge:
and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own
IN THE MASTER'S will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me."
STEPS
"For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own
John 5:30; 6:38 will, but the will of Him that sent Me."
John 5:30 in RSV reads: "I can do nothing of My own
authority; . . . I seek not My own will but the will of Him
who sent Me." The Son of mar during His earthly sojourn
was obedient to His Father's will in all things, as in the proph-
ecy: "I delight to do Thy will, 0 My God: yea, Thy law is
within My heart." Ps. 40:8. We should remember that Jesus
here had been charged with "making Himself equal with God"
(John 5:18), and He is replying as the obedient Son, witness-
ing of His Father and His will.
What was Christ's purpose in coming to earth? John 6:38.
An example of Christ's obedience to the Father's will is seen
in Mark 14:36: "And He said, Abba, Father, all things are pos-
sible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless
not what I will, but what Thou wilt." Three times this prayer
was offered in the garden of Gethsemane. Each time the fate
of humanity trembled in the balance. Then came victory as
Christ breathed the prayer of submission, "Thy will be done."
"As Jesus rested by faith in the Father's care, so we are
to rest in the care of our Saviour."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 336.
What supreme illustration of obedience was seen at Cal-
vary? Phil. 2:8.
THINK IT THROUGH Did God the Father force Christ to die upon Calvary?
Was Jesus' sacrifice at the time of Calvary still a delib-
erate choice on His part?
"Jesus, the brightness of the Father's
glory, thought 'it not a thing to be
grasped to be on an equality with God,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of
a servant.' Philippians 2:6, 7, R.V.,
margin. Through all the lowly experi-
ences of life He consented to pass,
walking among the children of men,
not as a king, to demand homage, but
as one whose mission it was to serve
others. There was in His manner no
taint of bigotry, no cold austerity. The
world's Redeemer had a greater than
angelic nature, yet united with His
divine majesty were meekness and
humility that attracted all to Himself.
"Jesus emptied Himself, and in all
that He did, self did not appear. He
subordinated all things to the will of
His Father."—"Thoughts From the Mount
of Blessing," page 14.
71
Obedience Through
Christ
LESSON 9
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we
thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead."
CONSTRAINED
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new crea-
BY CHRIST ture: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new."
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no
sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
2 Cor. 5:14, 17, 21
Him."
"Through the grace of Christ we may accomplish every-
thing that God requires."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 301,
How can this be? Because "the love of Christ constraineth
us." 2 Cor. 5:14. In Jesus divine love is linked to omnipotent
power. This divine, controlling love does for us "what the law
could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh." Rom 8:3,
What change will come in the life of a sinner who ac-
cepts Christ? 2 Cor. 5:17.
What means has been provided whereby we can do the
will of God? Rom. 8:3, 4.
This does not say that the law itself was weak, but rather
that it was "weak through the flesh." The law was actually
strong in pointing out sin. But it could not save the sinner.
The law became effective if a man, realizing his sinful condi-
tion, went to God and found forgiveness and grace in Christ.
1 Tim. 1:8; Gal. 3:24. Righteousness is obtained only through
Jesus Christ. "We can receive of heaven's light only as we
are willing to be emptied of self. We can discern the character
of God, and accept Christ by faith, only as we consent to the
bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of
Christ."—Gospel Workers,
page 57.
THINK IT THROUGH Should we force ourselves to obey God even if we do
not want to?
"The expulsion of sin is the act of the
soul itself. True, we have no power to
free ourselves from Satan's control; but
when we desire to be set free from
sin, and in our great need cry out for
a power out of and above ourselves,
the powers of the soul are imbued with
the divine energy of the Holy Spirit,
and they obey the dictates of the will
in fulfilling the will of God."—"The De-
72
sire of Ages," page 466.
"All true obedience comes from the
heart. It was heart work with Christ.
And if we consent, He will so identify
Himself with our thoughts and aims, so
blend our hearts and minds into con-
formity to His will, that when obeying
Him we shall be but carrying out our
own impulses."—"Ibid.," p. 668.
Obedience Through Christ
LESSON 9
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
"But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.
WHAT
"For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer,
GOD REQUIRES he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a
glass:
"For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but
a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
James 1:22-25 deed."
The thought expressed in James 1:22, 23 is very similar to
that of Paul in Rom. 2:13: "For not the hearers of the law
are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."
This does not mean it is wrong to hear the Word of God.
Faith "cometh by hearing" and hearing is by the Word of God.
Rom. 10:17. The danger lies in hearing the Word but not
applying it to the life.
How did Jesus illustrate the danger of neglecting known
duty? Matt. 7:24-27; 21:28-32.
This same lesson is taught in James 4:17: "To him that
knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." A
man is judged according to what he knows to be right. The
omission of good deeds makes a person as guilty as the com-
mission of evil deeds.
What do men often substitute for obedience to God's ex-
pressed will? Mark 7:7-9.
Men may write their own human commandments, and they
may seek to obey them by the exercise of all the fanatical
zeal, willpower, and meticulous external observances of the
Pharisees, yet all their "obedience" is vanity.
THINK IT THROUGH Does faith make obedience to God's will unnecessary?
Rom. 3:31.
"Every man is given sufficient light
for the discharge of the duties required
of him. Man's responsibilities are pro-
portionate to his opportunities and priv-
ileges. God gives to everyone sufficient
light and grace to do the work He has
given him to do. If man fails to do that
which a little light shows to be his
duty, greater light would only reveal
unfaithfulness, neglect to improve the
blessings given."—"Christ's Object Les-
sons," page 265.
"The test of sincerity is not in words,
but in deeds. . . . Words are of no
value unless they are accompanied with
appropriate deeds."—"Ibid.," p. 272.
73
Obedience Through
Christ
LESSON 9
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever
sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him.
LIVING
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth
WITHOUT SIN righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil
sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of
God was manifested, that He might destroy the works
of the devil.
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for
His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because
1 John 3:6-9 he is born of God."
The tense of the verb in verse 9 above indicates that the
words "doth not commit sin" would be more accurately ren-
dered "does not continue to sin," or "does not habitually sin."
The Greek verb forms clearly do not mean that the one who
has been born of God will never again fall before temptation.
Rather, they imply that he has committed himself to a pattern
of life in which he makes no provision for sinning, that it is
his continuing firm purpose to live in harmony with that
commitment, and that his life gives marked evidence of in-
creasing freedom from sin.
If we are born of God, what kind of obedience will we
manifest? Rom. 6:17; Eph. 6:6.
How does Paul describe the new birth experience? Rom.
12:2.
Do people who know us intimately sense that we are
changed or transformed since becoming Adventists? Or is
there very little difference? Have we "obeyed from the heart"
(Rom. 6:17), or do we have the "form of godliness" without
"the power thereof" (2 Tim. 3:5) ? See
Testimonies,
Vol. 1,
p. 128.
THINK IT THROUGH What changes have come into my life as a result of my
religious experience?
"When it is in the heart to obey God,
when efforts are put forth to this end,
Jesus accepts this disposition and effort
as man's best service, and He makes up
for the deficiency with His own divine
merit."—"My Life Today," page 250.
74
"So long as we do not consent to sin,
there is no power, whether human or
satanic, that can bring a stain upon the
soul."—"Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing," page 32.
Obedience Through
Christ
LESSON 9
❑
Friday
Part 6
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to for-
give us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous-
WHEN ness.
WE FAIL
"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a
liar, and His word is not in us.
"My little children, these things write I unto you, that
ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate
1 John 1:9 to 2:1
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
Here is a positive statement of our guilt: "If we say that
we have not sinned, we make Him a liar." Notice, if we make
this claim, we are doing more than just lying, more than
simply deceiving ourselves. We are making God a liar. Dare
we ever claim "not to have sin" when we realize the blas-
phemous nature of such a statement! However, even though
we are all sinners, God gives us strength to strive against sin.
Some might say that since God so readily forgives our sins,
let Him forgive a few more sins. To avoid this conclusion
John says, "These things write I unto you, that ye sin not."
His purpose is to get us away from the sin habit; but for one
who slips we have the assurance that Christ is "faithful and
just to forgive us our sins."
John has reference here to the washing away of the guilt
of sin: "The blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all
sin." 1 John 1:7. On this cleansing compare Acts 15:9; Eph.
5:26; Titus 2:14; and Rev. 1:5. It is the wonderful grace of
God that our sins with all their guilt are to be removed as far
as the East is from the West. Ps. 103:12; Isa. 43:25; 44:22;
Micah 7:9.
THINK IT THROUGH What word in the last part of 1 John 2:1 describes the
ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary?
Believers should not sin, but if the human instrument fails,
Jesus, our merciful and righteous Advocate, is ever ready to
accept the erring one and to renew His saving grace.
"When we are clothed with the righ-
teousness of Christ, we shall have no
relish for sin; for Christ will be working
with us. We may make mistakes, but
we will hate the sin that caused the
suffering of the Son of God."—"Mes-
sages to Young People," page 338.
"The character is revealed, not by
occasional good deeds and occasional
misdeeds, but by the tendency of the
habitual words and acts."—"Steps to
Christ," pages 57, 58.
75
Obedience Through Christ
LESSON 9
Part 7 <> SUMMARY QUESTIONS <> A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
Complete: "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a
2.
Complete: "To him that knoweth to do
and doeth it not, to
him it is
ff
3.
True or False: Faith makes obedience to God's expressed will unnec-
essary
4.
True' or False: A person who is born again will never again commit
sin.
5.
True obedience is a result of: (A) a determined effort to do what is
right; (B) doing exactly what the law says: (C) loving God and our fel-
lowman; (D) doing whatever our conscience says.
6.
The greatest example in the Bible of obedience was seen in: (A) Jo-
seph; (B) Christ; (C) Moses; (D) Paul
THE SECOND MILE
<> DAILY STUDY HELPS
S
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 278-281. (1923 ed., pages 280-283.)
M
"The Desire of Ages," pages 686-693.
T
"The Desire of Ages," pages 466, 667, 668.
W
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 147-152. (1943 ed.,
pages 21 1-218.)
T
"Steps to Christ," pages 49-55. ("Faith and Acceptance.")
F
"Selected Messages," Bk. 1, pp. 340-344.
ff (9) !O (9) !ORM (t) !aged (E) !tqs
,
poo2 (Z) !anneal) enau (t) :siantsud
76
LESSON 10
March 7
CHRISTIAN MATURITY
10
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Matt. 5:48.
The child of God should clearly under-
stand what it means to have a mature
Christian experience. God made man per-
fect, but sin produced imperfection which
disqualified the sinner for salvation. His
only hope is Christ. By faith in the atone-
ment he is clothed in Christ's righteousness,
and in that sense he is justified without con-
demnation before God. There is no in-
stance in the New Testament of a personal
claim to complete perfection, as this lesson
makes clear.
KEY WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
1.
Perfect.
The adjective thus trans-
lated means "full-grown," "mature," "com-
plete," "[what has] reached the goal." In
Greek literature it is used of flawless sacri-
ficial victims, of full-grown or mature ani-
mals, of mature persons, of trained and
fully qualified professional men. The idea
of maturity is evident in such passages as
Eph. 4:13; 1 Cor. 14:20 (translated
"men") ; Heb. 5:13, 14 (translated "of full
age"). The verb form means "to finish,"
"to complete," "to perfect."
2.
Lay Aside Every Weight.
The pic-
ture is of an athlete removing every en-
cumbrance, such as clothing, which might
be a handicap to him in a forthcoming
athletic contest. The Greeks used the ex-
pression in this sense; and since Hebrews
Father which is in heaven is perfect."
12:1, 2 pictures the Christian race in terms
of an athletic contest, this is probably
Paul's meaning here.
3.
Captain.This
word in Hebrews 2:10
is from the same Greek word as "author"
in chapter 12:2. Read the discussion of this
word in Lesson 7.
4.
Conversation.
The Greek word here
translated "conversation" means "manner
of life," "conduct," "behavior." It does
not mean "conversation" in the sense of
"speech," but would include speech as one
aspect of behavior, or conduct.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Ideal of Perfection
Matt. 5:48
2.
The Pursuit of Excellence
Phil. 3:12-15
3.
The Path to Perfection
2 Tim. 3:16, 17
4.
Christ Our Example
Heb. 12:1, 2
5.
Marks of Maturity
James 3:2,.1:4; Col. 3:14
6.
The Fullness of Christ
Eph. 4:13-15
77
Christian Maturity
LESSON 10
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which
THE IDEAL is in heaven is perfect."
OF PERFECTION
Matt. 5:48
In the Sermon on the Mount Christ presents a seemingly
impossible ideal: "Be ye therefore perfect." But notice this
statement in its context. In Matthew 5:43-48 Christ depicts
what it means to be like the Father. "Love your enemies," He
says, "that ye may be the children of your Father which is
in heaven." Jesus refers here to the Jewish practice of con-
sidering a Gentile as no better than a dog. A true Christian
will treat all men with respect as does God. Having said this
Jesus adds: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect."
God is to be our model. We are to follow Him in all His
perfections. This does not mean that we can reach complete
equality with God, for God's attributes are infinitely superior
to our finite virtues. But like God we can be fair and upright
in dealing with our enemies. Jesus describes the perfect in-
dividual as one who is completely committed to the law of
love and like God treats even his enemies with genuine love.
Unfortunately, the English word "perfect" does not ade-
quately express the meaning of the Greek word
teleios
used
in Matt. 5:48. In Biblical times this word could refer to an
animal without blemish or deformity or to someone who was
full-grown, mature, complete. It does not refer to absolute
sinlessness in this life. See
Steps to Christ,
page 62. A child
can be perfect for its age, a plant can be perfect for its stage
of maturation; but both grow, and graduated perfection marks
the developing life. See
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 65, 66.
How did Luke record a teaching similar to that in Mat-
thew? Luke 6:36.
"In both [Matt. 5:48; Luke 6:36] the perfection of the
Father is placed as the goal before His children. In neither case
is it said that they have reached
it."—Robertson Word Pic-
tures,
Vol. 2, p. 92.
THINK IT THROUGH Should we seek to reach absolute sinlessness though we
know we cannot attain to it in this life?
"At every stage of development our
life may be perfect; yet if God's pur-
pose for us is fulfilled, there will be
continual advancement. Sanctification
is the work of a lifetime."—"Christ's Ob-
ject Lessons," page 65.
"While we cannot claim perfection of
the flesh, we may have Christian per-
fection of the soul. . . . The conscience
78
can be freed from condemnation.
Through faith in His blood, all may be
made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank
God that we are not dealing with im-
possibilities. We may claim sanctifica-
tion. We may enjoy the favor of God."
—Ellen G. White, in "General Confer-
ence Bulletin," April 23, 1901.
Christian Maturity
LESSON 10
0
Monday
Part 2
"Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may appre-
THE PURSUIT hend that Mr which also I am apprehended of Christ
OF EXCELLENCE Jesus.
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before,
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.
"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God
Phil. 3:12-15 shall reveal even this unto you."
The word "perfect" is used with two different meanings
in Phil. 3:12-15. In verse 12 Paul denies being "already per-
fect." He has not yet reached that stage of holiness that God
wishes him to attain. But he presses on, like a runner straining
for a prize, seeking for "the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus." Verse 14.
In verse 15 he says: "Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded." Here the word "perfect" means
"mature Christians," people who are no longer "babes" that
need to be nursed in their Christian experience. While Paul
places himself among these mature individuals, he does not
mean that he or any other Christian of his day had reached
a stage of perfect holiness. This idea is excluded by the denial
found in verse 12. But some of the Philippians had, with Paul,
reached a level of spiritual maturity described in verse 15 as
"perfect."
How did Paul refer to certain Corinthian Christians?
1 Cor. 2:6.
THINK IT THROUGH How is present perfection made possible? Rom. 8:1-4.
"The ideal of Christian character is
Christlikeness. There is opened before
--
usapath
-
6
-
f constant advancement. We
have an object to gain, a standard to
reach, that includes everything good
and pure and noble and elevated.
There should be continual striving and
constant progress onward and upward
toward perfection of character."—"Tes-
timonies," Vol. 8, p. 64.
"All who consecrate soul, body, and
spirit to God will be constantly receiv-
ing a new endowment of physical and
mental power. The inexhaustible sup-
plies of heaven are at their command.
Christ gives them the breath of His own
spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy
Spirit puts forth its highest energies to
work in heart and mind. The grace of
God enlarges and multiplies their facul-
ties, and every perfection of the divine
nature comes to their assistance in the
work of saving souls. Through coopera-
tion with Christ they are complete in
Him, and in their human weakness they
are enabled to do the deeds of Omnip-
otence."—"The Desire of Ages," page
827.
79
Christian Maturity
LESSON 10
❑
Tuesday
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:
"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly fur-
nished unto all good works."
The pathway to Christian maturity is illuminated by the
study of His Word. See Ps. 119:105. Or as Paul says, "Scrip-
. . . is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc-
tion, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God
may be perfect." The word here translated "perfect" is from
a Greek word meaning "fitted," "equipped." As used in this
text, the perfect individual is one who through his study of
the Bible is fitted for all that is required of a man as a
Christian.
How is perfection made possible for the Christian? Heb.
13:20, 21.
Notice that perfection "in every good work" comes through
Jesus Christ. Such perfection does not come suddenly, for
Jesus "leads His people on step by step, purifying and fitting
them for translation."—Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 333. If perfec-
tion comes through Christ, the Living Word, it follows that
the inspired Written Word is an important aid to perfection,
because it presents the fullest revelation of "our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep."
"The union of the divine and the human, manifest in Christ,
exists also in the Bible. The truths revealed are all 'given
by inspiration of God'; yet they are expressed in the words
of men and are adapted to human
needs."—Testimonies,
Vol.
5, p. 747.
Part 3
THE PATH
TO PERFECTION
2 Tim. 3:16, 17
THINK IT THROUGH Is my Bible study sufficient in time and quality to pro-
mote my spiritual growth?
"In every command and in every
promise of the Word of God is the
power, the very life of God, by which
the command may be fulfilled and the
promise realized. He who by faith
receives the Word is receiving the very
life and character of God... .
"Receive into the soul by faith the
incorruptible seed of the Word, and it
will bring forth a character and a life
80
after the similitude of the character and
the life of God."—"Christ's Object Les-
sons," page 38.
"Received into the heart, the leaven
of truth will regulate the desires, purify
the thoughts, and sweeten the disposi-
tion. It quickens the faculties of the
mind and the energies of the soul. It
enlarges the capacity for feeling, for
loving."—"Ibid.," p. 101.
Christian Maturity
LESSON 10
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with
so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
CHRIST weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and
OUR EXAMPLE let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
Heb. 12:1, 2 right hand of the throne of God."
The runner who competes in a race often provided Paul
with an apt illustration of the Christian seeking eternal life.
See Gal. 2:2; Phil. 2:16; 1 Cor. 9:24-27. An athlete must put
forth every effort to win the contest that has been marked
out for him. Likewise, if we expect to be successful in achiev-
ing the goal, we must "run with patience the race that is set
before us." The word "patience" means "fortitude," "perse-
verance." We are to run "with patience" because this race is
not won till it is completed. It was not until the end of his
life that Paul could say, "I have 'finished the race." 2 Tim.
4:7, RSV. See also Heb. 10:36; Rev. 2:10.
"To win a perishable prize, the Grecian runners spared
themselves no toil or discipline. We are striving for a prize
infinitely more valuable, even the crown of everlasting life.
How much more careful should be our striving, how much
more willing our sacrifice and self-denial!"—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 312.
How did Jesus demonstrate the need for patient endur-
ance? Heb. 12:2.
What experiences contribute to our character develop-
ment? Heb. 2:10; 12:11; James 1:12.
THINK IT THROUGH Are there "weights" in my life that should be laid aside?
How is this accomplished?
"When one turns away from human
imperfections to behold Jesus, a divine
transformation kik
-
eV
-
place in the char-
'
-
actei"
-.
-
The
-
S
-
pirit of Christ working upon
the heart conforms it to His image."-
"Christ's Object Lessons," page 250.
"We cannot equal the pattern; but
we shall not be approved of God if we
do not copy it and, according to the
ability which God has given, resemble
it."-"Testimonies," Vol. 2, p. 549.
"Remember that you will never reach
a higher standard than you yourself
set."-"Christ's Object Lessons," page
331.
81
Christian Maturity
LESSON 10
0 Thursday
Part .5
"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend
not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also
MARKS to bridle the whole body."
OF MATURITY
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may
be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
James 3:2; 1:4;
"And above all these things put on charity, which is
Col. 3:14 the bond of perfectness."
In the texts above can be found three marks of perfection
that will be seen in a growing Christian:
(1)
Pure speech. James indicates that the maturing Chris-
tian should be careful about his speech. James 3:2. "We must
have perfect control over our own spirit. `If any man offend
not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle
the whole body.'
"—Testimonies,
Vol.
1,
p. 308.
(2)
Patience. James 1:4 in the RSV reads: "Let steadfast-
ness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete."
This patience or steadfastness may be passive as under trial or
chastisement permitted by God. See Luke 21:19; 2 Cor. 6:4;
2 Tim. 3:10; Heb. 12:7. It may also be active,
persistent, per-
severing, as in "well-doing." See Rom.
2:7 ;
Luke 8:15.
(3)
Love. The apostle Paul encourages the Christian to
"put on love, which binds everything together in perfect
harmony." Col. 3:14, RSV. "When consecrated believers as-
semble, their conversation will not be upon the imperfections
of others or savor of murmuring or complaint; charity, or
love, the bond of perfectness, will encircle them. Love to God
and their fellowmen flows out naturally in words of affection,
sympathy, and esteem for their
brethren.—Testimonies,
Vol.
1, p. 509.
What attitude will a mature Christian have toward the
problems of life? Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 4:8-11.
THINK IT THROUGH Should a Christian ever become discouraged? Is it a sin if
he does?
"In Christ, God has provided means
for subduing every sinful trait, and
resisting every temptation, however
strong."—"The Desire of Ages," page
429.
"As the will of man cooperates with
the will of God, it becomes omnipotent.
Whatever is to be done at His command
may be accomplished in His strength.
All His biddings are enablings."—
"Christ's Object Lessons," page 333.
82
"Let no one say, I cannot remedy my
defects of character. If you come to this
decision, you will certainly fail of ob-
taining everlasting life. The impossibil-
ity lies in your own will. If you will
not, then you can not overcome. The
real difficulty arises from the corruption
of an unsanctified heart, and an un-
willingness to submit to the control of
God."—"Ibid.," p. 331.
Christian Maturity
LESSON 10
0 Friday
Part 6
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
THE FULLNESS the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
OF CHRIST
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to
and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby
they lie in wait to deceive;
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
Eph. 4:13-15 Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ.
In Eph. 4:13-15 Paul compares the church, Christ's mystical
body, with the human body. Like the physical body, the
church is to grow to a state of maturity or perfection in con-
trast to the childish state of immaturity. Verse 14. The task
of church leaders then is to assist church members to attain
unto full Christian maturity. This maturity is a fullgrown
manhood in faith and knowledge in contrast with the inexperi-
enced and immature faith of the spiritual child.
How does this growth come about? By growing "up into
Him, . . . even Christ." Take away Christ, and all that is left
to grow in our lives becomes mere counterfeit. Christ alone is
our example of perfection.
Until what time may we expect the process of character
perfection to go forward? 1 John 3:2, 3; Rev. 22:11.
THINK IT THROUGH What can I do today to foster a more mature spiritual ex-
perience?
"The ideal of Christian_character is
Chiiitlikeness. As the Son of man was
Perfect in His life, so His followers are
to be perfect in their life."—"The Desire
of Ages," page 311.
"By beholding Jesus we receive a
living, expanding principle in the heart,
and theHoly.Spirit carries on the work,
and the believer advances from grace
to grace, from strength to strength, from
character to character. He conforms to
the image of Christ, until in spiritual
growth he attains unto the measure of
the full stature in Christ Jesus."—"Se-
lected Messages," Bk. 1, p. 395.
"Christ is seeking to reproduce Him-
self in the hearts of men." "When the
character of Christ shall be perfectly
reproduced in His people, then He will
come to claim them as His own."—
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 67, 69.
83
Christian Maturity
LESSON 10
Part 7
0
SUMMARY QUESTIONS
0
A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
The word "perfect" as used in the New Testament usually means: (A)
absolutely sinless; (B) to have all the attributes of God; (C) full-grown
or mature; (D) to keep the law exactly
2.
Complete: "Sanctification is the work of a
3.
Paul often described a Christian seeking eternal life as a (A) runner
in a race, (B) man looking in a mirror, (C) rider on a horse, (D) lost
sheep
4.
Give the three marks of maturity discussed in this lesson: (1)
, (2)
(3)
5.
True or False: Near the end of his life Paul claimed that he had
reached a state of sinlessness
6.
Complete: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is prof-
itable for
, for
, for
for
in righteousness."
THE SECOND MILE '
DAILY STUDY HELPS
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 76-78. (1943 ed.,
pages 116-118.)
M
"The Great Controversy," pages
469-473.
T
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages
38,
48-50. (1923 eci pages 32,
43-45.)
W
"The
Acts of the Apostles," pages 309-315.
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 328-333. (1923 ed., pages 330-335.)
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 62-69. (1923 ed., pages 61-67.)
•
uopanusu! 'uogoailoa loolda3
'aulapop (9) !aged (9) :9A01 `aatraped Vaads altld
(t.) V (E) :aumani
(z) :3 (
I):
siamsuy
84
March 14
1
Y
-
64-411t
LESSON 11
THE RETURN OF OUR LORD 11
"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth
nigh." James 5:8.
Except for a few devout and farseeing
men like Abraham and Moses, the true
significance of the second coming of Christ
was apparently lost upon the people of Old
Testament times. It is in the New Testa-
ment that the blurred picture of this unique
event in history is brought into sharp and
startling focus. The aim of this study is to
induce a deeper longing for the return of
Jesus and an increased earnestness in pre-
paring to meet Him.
KEY WORDS
1.
Coming.
The original Greek word
means "presence," or "arrival." In the
papyri it is used of the visit of an emperor
or a king and of the arrival of a Roman
general to celebrate a triumphal procession.
The word thus appropriately describes
Christ's return as King of kings. Sometimes
it stresses presence as opposed to absence.
It is the word translated "coming" in such
passages as Matt. 24:27 and 2 Thess. 2:1, 8.
2.
Appearing.
This is the usual trans-
lation of the original Greek word meaning
"visible manifestation," "an appearing,"
"an appearance." In 2 Thess. 2:8 it is
translated "brightness," but elsewhere usu-
ally "appearing," as in 2 Tim. 4:1, 8; Titus
2:13. In classical Greek it describes the sud-
den appearance of an enemy in war and
the supposed appearances of heathen deities
to their worshipers. In the papyri it is used
of the inauguration of the emperor Caligula.
The New Testament applies it to both the
first and second advents of our Lord. In
2 Thess. 2:8 Paul speaks of the "brightness"
of Christ's "coming," and seems to stress
the visible presence of Christ following His
appearing.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
The Hope of Christ's Coming
Titus 2:11-14
2.
Purpose of His Coming
Rev. 22:10-12
3.
His Glory Displayed
1 Thess. 4:16, 17
4.
Warnings and Preparations
Matt. 24:42-44
5.
Special Dangers
Matt. 24:4, 5; Luke 21:34-36
6.
Patience While Waiting
James 5:7, 8
85
The Return of Our
Lord
LESSON 11
❑
Sunday
Part 1
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men,
THE HOPE OF
"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
CHRIST'S COMING lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in
this present world;
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious ap-
pearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
"Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar peo-
Titus 2:11-14 ple, zealous of good works."
Because of the promises given by Jesus Himself, the "blessed
hope" of the second coming was very real to the early Chris-
tians. Christ repeatedly directed the minds of the disciples to
that glad reunion. Other writers of the New Testament made
it a major Christian teaching. "The hope whith is laid up for
you in heaven" (Col. 1:5) ; "The Lord Himself shall descend"
(1 Thess. 4:16) ; "This same Jesus . . . shall so come . . . as
ye have seen Him go" (Acts 1:11) ; "The Son of man shall
come in . . . glory" (Matt. 16:27).
What promise did, our Lord make with respect to His
return? John 14:1-3.
"Let not." The form of the verb in Greek implies, "stop
letting" your heart be troubled. Christ's going away was to
be the disciples' assurance that He would come again. See
Acts 1:11.
The word for "mansions"
(monai)
means "permanent abid-
ing places." Compare Ps. 23:6. "While He [Christ] was build-
ing mansions for them [the disciples], they were to build
characters after the divine similitude."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 663.
THINK IT THROUGH Who will be ready for Jesus when He comes again? Heb.
9:28.
The words "look for Him" literally mean, "wait it out
for Him," that is, keep on waiting until Christ actually appears.
Only those who patiently wait for Him now will be able to
say
at His return, "Lo, this is our God; we have 'waited for
Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited
for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isa.
25:9.
"The coming of the bridegroom was
at midnight—the darkest hour. So the
coming of Christ will take place in the
darkest period of this earth's
history.
. . .
The great apostasy will develop
into darkness deep as midnight, im-
penetrable as sackcloth of hair. To
86
God's people it will be a night of trial,
a night of weeping, a night of
persecu-
tion
for the truth's sake. But out of
that
night
of darkness God's light will
shine."—"Christ's Object Lessons," pages
414, 415.
The Return of Our
Lord
LESSON 11
❑
Monday
Part 2
"And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the
prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
PURPOSE OF
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which
HIS COMING
is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still: and he that' is holy, let him be
holy still.
"And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with
Rev. 22:10-12 Me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
One purpose of Christ's coming is. to "give every man ac-
cording as his work shall be." Jesus uttered a similar prom-
ise: "The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father
with His angels; and then He shall reward every man accord-
ing to his, works." Matt. 16:27.
Reward is taught in the Scriptures as God's compensation
to the saints, rather than their motive in service: "In keeping
of them [God's commandments] there is great reward." Ps.
19:11. "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
Heb. 11:6. See also Ps. 58:11. In contrast to the reward of the
righteous is God's judgment on the wicked. To the one, He
gives "a crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4:8) ; to the other,
"sudden destruction" (1 Thess. 5:3).
What solemn announcement is made prior to Christ's
coming? Rev. 22:11.
At what exact time will the saints be given their reward?
2 Tim. 4:1,8.
THINK IT THROUGH Can you think of any reward that comes to saints and
sinners in this life?
"Not one who complies with the con-
ditions will be disappointed at the end
of the race. Not one who is earnest and
persevering will fail of success. The
race is not to the swift, nor the battle
to the strong. The weakest saint, as
well as the strongest, may wear the
crown of immortal glory. All may win
who, through the power of divine
grace, bring their lives into conformity
to the will of Christ. The practice, in
the details of life, of the principles laid
down in God's Word, is too often looked
upon as unimportant—a matter too triv-
ial to demand attention. But in view of
the issue at stake, nothing is small that
will help or hinder. Every act casts its
weight into the scale that determines
life's victory or defeat. And the reward
given to those who win will be in
proportion to the energy and earnest-
ness with which they have striven."—
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 313,
314.
87
The Return of Our
Lord
LESSON 11
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the
HIS GLORY trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
DISPLAYED
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
1 Thess. 4:16, 17 the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
When our Lord returns, His coming will be announced
"with a great sound of a trumpet" (Matt. 24:31), and He
will appear "as the lightning cometh out of the east, and
shineth even unto the west" (Matt. 24:27). "Behold, He corn-
eth with clouds," said John the Revelator; "and every eye
shall see Him." Rev. 1:7. From these verses it is clear that
His appearance will not be hidden away in some isolated place.
Every living human will see Him come in all the brilliance of
His heavenly glory.
What change will take place in the righteous at His com-
ing? 1 Cor. 15:51-54.
Corinth was full of pagan ideas about the life of the soul
after the death of the body; hence the Christian church in
that city needed explicit statements that set forth: (1) the resur-
rection of the whole being; (2) a sudden resurrection of the
dead at the Lord's coming; (3) the granting of immortality
and incorruptibility "in a moment," when "the trumpet shall
sound" and the Lord shall appear.
How did two heavenly beings describe the second com-
ing? Acts 1:9-11.
THINK IT THROUGH Does Matt. 24:24 mean that many of the righteous will
be deceived by Satan before the coming of Christ?
"Amid the reeling of the earth, the
flash of lightning, and the roar of thun-
der, the voice of the Son of God calls
forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon
the graves of the righteous, then, rais-
ing His hands to heaven, He cries:
'Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep
in the dust, and arise!' Throughout the
length and breadth of the earth the
dead shall hear that voice, and they
that hear shall live. And the whole
88
earth shall ring with the tread of the
exceeding great army of every nation,
kindred, tongue, and people. From the
prison house of death they come,
clothed with immortal glory, crying: '0
death, where is thy sting? 0 grave,
where is thy victory?' 1 Corinthians
15:55.
And the living righteous and
the risen saints unite their voices in a
long, glad shout of victory."—"The
Great Controversy," page
644.
The Return of Our
Lord
LESSON 11
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your
Lord doth come.
WARNINGS AND
"But know this, that if the goodman of the house had
PREPARATIONS known in what watch the thief would come, he would
have watched, and would not have suffered his house to
be broken up.
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as
Matt. 24:42-44 ye think not the Son of man cometh."
Verse 44 goes beyond
"ye know
not what hour" of verse 42
and says: "In such an hour as ye
think
not, the Son of man
cometh." The one indicates ignorance of the time; the other,
surprise when it comes. The uncertainty as to the exact time
of the coming of Christ requires that every generation be in
perpetual readiness.
What will the hope of Christ's return lead every sincere
believer to do? 1 John 3:2, 3.
"Sinful man cannot cleanse himself; he is sold under sin
and utterly dependent upon the Saviour for purity (Jer. 17:9;
John 3:3; 15:4, 5; Rom. 8:7). Nevertheless, there is some
work that man, with divine aid, must do for himself (see on
Phil. 2:12, 13). This work demands diligent watching and
prayer (Eph. 6:13-18; Col. 4:2; Rev. 3:3). The central strug-
gle is to maintain faith in the victory that Christ has gained
for us, and to live believing that His grace is sufficient to give
us the mastery over every besetment."—SDA
Bible Commen-
tary,
on 1 John 3:3.
How did Jesus stress the importance of being prepared
at all times? Matt. 25:1-13.
THINK IT THROUGH Is it possible to know that the second coming is near and
yet be surprised when it comes?
"The class represented by the foolish
virgins are not hypocrites. They have a
regard for the truth, they have advo-
cated the truth, they are attracted to
those who believe the truth; but they
have not yielded themselves to the Holy
Spirit's working. They have not fallen
upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and per-
mitted their old nature to be broken
up. . . . They . . . have been content
with a superficial work. They do not
know God. They have not studied His
character; they have not held com-
munion with Him; therefore they do not
know how to trust, how to look and
live."—"Christ's Object Lessons," page
411.
89
The Return of Our
Lord
LESSON 11
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed
that no man deceive you.
SPECIAL
"For many shall come in My name, saying, I am
DANGERS Christ; and shall deceive many."
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your
hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness,
and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares.
"For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on
the face of the whole earth.
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may
Matt. 24:4, 5 be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
Luke 21:34-36 come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Since the time of Jesus there has been a procession of de-
ceivers claiming to be Christ, and as the end draws near we
can expect to see more of these false messiahs, and false ideas
about the true Messiah which create an incorrect picture of
Christ, His work, and His ministry. The warning is more valid
today than at any other time: "Take heed that no man deceive
you."
How will the false christs attempt to deceive the believ-
ers? Matt. 24:24.
Christ warned His followers in Luke 21:34-36 of those
things which drag the heart down "so that day come upon
you unawares." "These things" (verse 36) include the internal
dangers of intemperance, carelessness, and ungodly conduct,
as well as the external deceptions of false Christians and
wonder-workers. "There are many who have outgrown their
advent faith. They are living for the
world."—Testimonies to
Ministers,
page 77.
THINK IT THROUGH What will some be saying concerning Christ's coming?
Matt. 24:48.
"As the crowning act in the great
drama of deception, Satan himself will
personate Christ. The church has long
professed to look to the Saviour's ad-
vent as the consummation of her hopes.
Now the great deceiver will make it
appear that Christ has come. In differ-
ent parts of the earth, Satan will mani-
fest himself among men as a majestic
being of dazzling brightness, resem-
bling the description of the Son of God
given by John in the Revelation."—"The
Great Controversy," page 624.
90
"The evil servant says in his heart,
'My lord delayeth his coming.' He does
not say that Christ will not come. He
does not scoff at the idea of His second
coming. But in his heart and by his
actions and words he declares that the
Lord's coming is delayed. He banishes
from the minds of others the convic-
tion that the Lord is coming quickly. His
influence leads men to presumptuous,
careless delay. They are confirmed in
their worldliness and stupor."—"The De-
sire of Ages," page 635.
The Return of Our Lord
LESSON 11
0
Friday
Part 6
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the
Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious
PATIENCE fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he
WHILE WAITING receive the early and latter rain.
"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the com-
James 5:7, 8 ing of the Lord draweth nigh."
Even as a farmer plants his seed and then waits patiently for
the seed to grow up and the harvest to come, so the Christian
is to be patient "unto the coming of the Lord." The early
Christians lived in constant expectation of the coming of Jesus
Christ. They were not certain when He would come, but they
did expect Him to come soon. Today we are closer to that
event than ever before, but many of us are tempted to think
His coming is far away. The devout Christian should cherish
the hope that His advent is very near, "even at the door."
What admonition does Peter give those patiently await-
ing the Lord's return? 1 Peter 1:13.
"Girding up the loins refers to the long, loose robes worn
by Orientals, which were drawn up and belted at the waist
when one wanted to walk or work with energy. This expression
is used figuratively with reference to the mind, which includes
thinking as well as the resultant willing, and the thought is:
'Make up your minds decisively!' . . . Instead of letting their
thoughts, purposes, decisions hang loose while they move lei-
surely along in life as impulse and occasion may move them,
the readers are to gird up their minds like people who are
energetically set on going somewhere. To gird up the loins
means business, decision, action, not idling, not drifting after
this and that momentary attraction."—R. C. H. Lenskie
, The
Interpretation of the Epistles of St. Peter, St. John an St.
Jude,
page 51.
THINK IT THROUGH Is the coming of Christ looked forward to today with
as much anticipation as it was in past generations?
"By giving the gospel to the world
it is in our power to hasten our Lord's
return. We are not only to look for but
to hasten the coming of the day of
God. 2 Peter 3:12, margin. Had the
church of Christ done her appointed
work as the Lord ordained, the whole
world would before this have been
warned, and the Lord Jesus would have
come to our earth in power and great
glory. . . .
"Those who watch for the Lord's com-
ing are not waiting in idle expectancy.
The expectation of Christ's coming is to
make men fear the Lord, and fear His
judgments upon transgression. It is to
awaken them to the great sin of reject-
ing His offers of mercy. Those who are
watching for the Lord are purifying
their souls by obedience to the truth.
With vigilant watching they combine
earnest working. Because they know
that the Lord is at the door, their zeal
is quickened to cooperate with the
divine intelligences in working for the
salvation of souls."—"The Desire of
Ages," pages 633, 634.
91
The Return of Our Lord
LESSON 11
Part 7 <> SUMMARY QUESTIONS G A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
Complete: "Unto them that
shall He
appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
2.
True or False: Immortality will be granted to the saints at the second
coming of Christ
3.
Which parable of Christ stresses the importance of being prepared at
all times)
4.
Complete: "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an
as
ye
the Son of man cometh."
5.
What will be the crowning act in Satan's deceptions in the last days?
(A) false prophets; (B) impersonation of Christ; (C) Sunday law;
(D)
great persecutions
6.
According to James, what trait of character will all develop who await
the Lord's coming)
THE SECOND MILE
.C> DAILY STUDY HELPS
S
"The Desire of Ages," pages 829-832.
M
"The Great Controversy," pages 489-491.
I
"The Great Controversy," pages 640-644.
W
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 411-415. (1923 ed., pages 439-424.)
"The Desire of Ages," pages 627-632.
"The Desire of Ages," pages 632-636.
•
a4uaped (g)
:4; (5) :;ou
31up41
'loot{ (t) !s442.414 los 944 Jo applud (5) !awl (Z)
!uln-110;
nool
(4) :s4antsulf
92
LESSON 12
March 21
THE GIFT OF IMMORTALITY
12
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.
The purpose of this study is to give a
new appreciation for the gift of everlasting
life which will be given to the resurrected
saints at the coming of our Lord. Christ is
the author of resurrection, and "the divinity
of Christ is the believer's assurance of eter-
nal
life."—The Desire of Ages,
page 530.
This lesson, therefore, centers in the Lord
Jesus, for His resurrection was a public
declaration that men are not left to a
hopeless future.
KEY WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
1.
Life.
The Greek denotes the life prin-
ciple, the antithesis of death. In his original
state Adam had conditional possession of
this life principle, but when he sinned he
forfeited it and became subject to the prin-
ciple of death. Death is the opposite of life.
Rom. 6:23. In Christ all who believe in-
herit life, but only when immortality is
bestowed at the second advent will Adam
and his believing descendants exchange their
conditional possession of life for unqualified
immortality.
2.
Immortality.
The Greek word trans-
lated "immortal," "imperishable," is formed
by prefixing a negative to a word meaning
"ruin," "destruction," "deterioration," "dis-
solution," "corruption." Classical Greek
writers speak of a "crown of immortality."
3.
Crown of Life.
The Greek word here
used for "crown" means a garland of vic-
tory, not the crown of rulership. The Greek
athlete would endure the most rigorous self-
denial and discipline in order to secure a
"corruptible crown," but the "crown of
life" for which the Christian strives is "in-
corruptible."
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
God Does Not Lie
Titus 1:1, 2
2.
Christ Assured our Resurrection
1 Peter 1:3, 4
3.
Qualifying for Immortality
John 1 7: 1 -3
4.
The Resurrection Described
John 5:25, 28, 29
5.
From Death to Life
1 Cor. 15:51-54
6.
Tokens of Immortality
Rev. 22:1, 2
93
The Gift of Immortality
LESSON 12
0
Sunday
Part 1
"Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the ac-
GOD DOES NOT LIE knowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie,
Titus 1:1, 2 promised before the world began."
A similar passage to the one above is 1 John 2:25: "And
this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal
life." Both texts claim the hope of eternal life upon the basis
of God's promise which was made "before the world began."
See also 1 Peter 1:20. "The plan of salvation had been laid
before the creation of the earth; for Christ is 'the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the
world.'"—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
page 63. The Christian's hope is sure, for it rests upon the
promise of the One who "cannot lie."
How did God restore the hope of everlasting life to sin-
ners? John 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:10.
"One remark I cannot help making; the doctrine of the
resurrection
appears to have been thought of much more con-
sequence among the primitive Christians than it is now! How
is this? The apostles were continually insisting on it, and
exciting the followers of God to diligence, obedience, and cheer-
fulness through it. And their successors in the present day
seldom mention it! . . . There is not a doctrine in the Gospel
on which more stress is laid; and there is not a doctrine in
the present system of preaching which is treated with more
neglect!"—Adam Clarke,
Commentary,
on 1 Corinthians 15,
note 3 at end of chapter.
What will eventually happen to death? 1 Cor. 15:26.
THINK IT THROUGH Why will there be no death in the new earth?
"All come forth from their graves
the same in stature as when they en-
tered the tomb. Adam, who stands
among the risen throng, is of lofty
height and majestic form, in stature but
little below the Son of God. He presents
a marked contrast to the people of later
generations; in this one respect is shown
the great degeneracy of the race. But
all arise with the freshness and vigor
of eternal youth. In the beginning, man
was created in the likeness of God, not
94
only in character, but in form and fea-
ture. Sin defaced and almost obliter-
ated the divine image; but Christ came
to restore that which had been lost.
He will change our vile bodies and fash-
ion them like unto His glorious body.
The mortal, corruptible form, devoid of
comeliness, once polluted with sin, be-
comes perfect, beautiful, and immortal.
All blemishes and deformities are left
in the grave."—"The Great Contro-
versy," pages 644, 645.
The Gift of Immortality
LESSON 12
❑
Monday
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath be-
gotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead,
"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and
that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."
Our assurance of resurrection is based upon the historical
fact that Jesus Christ Himself came forth from the tomb.
Without the resurrection of Christ salvation for the sinner
would be impossible. Only as the sinner believes in the Saviour
as the antitype of the uplifted serpent (John 3:14) and as the
Lamb of God who bore the sins of the world (John 1:29)
can he find forgiveness for his own sins. Because Christ was
lifted upon the cross, buried in the tomb, raised on the third
day, the sinner is "begotten . . . unto a lively hope" of his
own resurrection from the dead.
"The resurrection of Jesus was a type of the final resur-
rection of all who sleep in Him. . . . As Jesus arose from the
dead, so those who sleep in Him are to rise again."—The
De-
sire of Ages,
page 804.
What would have been the fate of humanity if Christ had
not been resurrected? 1 Cor. 15:14, 17-20.
"Now is Christ risen from the dead." This is the triumph
song of the church, and we should never lose its challenging
assurance, its defiance of death. The resurrection is the one
glorious star in the dark sky.
"Paul says, in speaking of the resurrection of the Lord and
of all His people: 'Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that
are Christ's at His coming.' 1 Corinthians 15:23. Like the wave
sheaf, which was the first ripe grain gathered before the har-
vest, Christ is the firstfruits of that immortal harvest of re-
deemed ones that at the future resurrection shall be gathered
into the garner of God."—The
Great Controversy,
page 399.
THINK IT THROUGH Why was it necessary for Jesus Himself to come to this
earth? John 1:4; 1 John 5:11, 12.
Part 2
CHRIST ASSURED
OUR RESURRECTION
1 Peter 1:3, 4
"The voice that cried from the cross,
'It is finished,' was heard among the
dead. It pierced the walls of sepulchers,
and summoned the sleepers to arise.
Thus will it be when the voice of Christ
shall be heard from heaven. That voice
will penetrate the graves and unbar
the tombs, and the dead in Christ shall
arise. At the Saviour's resurrection a
few graves were opened, but at His
second coming all the precious dead
shall hear His voice, and shall come
forth to glorious, immortal life. The
same power that raised Christ from the
dead will raise His church, and glorify
it with Him."—"The Desire of Ages,"
page 787.
"Christ declares that even now the
power which gives life to the dead is
among them, and they are to behold
its manifestation. This same resurrec-
tion power is that which gives life to
the soul 'dead in trespasses and sins.'
Eph. 2:1."—"Ibid.," p. 209.
95
The Gift of Immortality
LESSON 12
❑
Tuesday
Part 3
"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to
heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy
QUALIFYING Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee:
FOR IMMORTALITY
"As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He
should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given
Him.
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast
John 17:1-3 sent."
"This is life eternal, that they might know Thee." Similar
expressions are found many times in the Scriptures: "He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36) ; "I
say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life"
(John 6:47) ; "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou
shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
When does the believing Christian inherit everlasting
life? John 5:24.
"This declaration is more than a promise of eternal life to
come; it is an assurance that the believer now and here may
begin to enjoy life that is eternal in quality, because he is
united spiritually with his Lord, whose life he shares. 'The
Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginnng
of the life eternal' (DA 388). See John 6:47; 1 John 5:11, 12."
—SDA Bible Commentary,
on John 5:24.
What must we do to inherit eternal life? Mark 13:13;
Rom. 2:7, Rev. 2:10.
"The conditions of eternal life, under grace, are just what
they were in Eden—perfect righteousness, harmony with God,
perfect conformity to the principles of His law. . . . God has
made provision that we may become like unto Him, and He
will accomplish this for all who do not interpose a perverse
will and thus frustrate His
grace."—Thoughts From the Mount
of Blessing,
page 76.
THINK IT THROUGH What is the difference between saving belief (Acts 16:31)
and ordinary belief or knowledge (James 2:19)?
"Christ became one flesh with us, in
order that we might become one spirit
with Him. It is by virtue of this union
that we are to come forth from the
grave,—not merely as a manifestation
of the power of Christ, but because,
through faith, His life has become ours.
Those who see Christ in His true char-
96
acter, and receive Him into the heart,
have everlasting life. It is through the
Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and
—
the
SFairtif
—
Gdd,Th-eFeRied into the heart
by faith, is the beginning of the life
eternal."—"The Desire of Ages," page
388.
The Gift of Immortality
LESSON 12
0 Wednesday
Part 4
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and
now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of
THE RESURRECTION God: and they that hear shall live."
DESCRIBED
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the
which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,
"And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto
the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto
John 5:25, 28, 29 the resurrection of damnation."
In His vivid account of the moment when He shall return
to this planet, Jesus describes "the Son of man coming in
the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." There is
"a great sound of a trumpet." Then the angels who have come
with Him "gather together His elect from the four winds, from
one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:30, 31.
Another description `wonders
the clouds of glory, the heavenly
angels, and the celestial wonders emphasizes the appearance of
Christ: "In solemn silence we all gazed on the cloud as it drew
nearer, and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious,
till it was a great white cloud. 'The bottom appeared like
fire; a rainbow was over the cloud, while around it were ten
thousand angels, singing a most lovely song; and upon it
sat the Son of man. His hair was white and curly and lay on
His shoulders, and upon His head were many crowns. His feet
had the appearance of fire; in His right hand was a sharp
sickle, in His left a silver trumpet. His eyes were as a flame
of fire, which searched His children through and through."
—Testimonies, Vol.
1. p. 60.
Which of the dead will be resurrected at this time?
1 Thess. 4:13-17.
THINK IT THROUGH
Some modern theologians console the bereaved by assuring
that their departed loved ones are even now enjoying the bliss
of heaven. But if the Thessalonian believers who had fallen
asleep in Jesus were indeed in heaven, we may properly ask
why Paul did not console their living loved ones with this
reputed fact. If the apostle believed the righteous dead to be
already in heaven, he certainly missed a perfect opportunity
to enlighten and console the living.
If Christ were to come at this moment, would it bring fear
or joy to my heart?
"Our personal identity is preserved
in the resurrection, though not the same
particles of matter or material sub-
stance as went into the grave. The won-
drous works of God are a mystery to
man. The spirit, the character of man,
is returned to God, there to be pre-
served. In the resurrection every man
will have his own character."—Ellen
G. White Comments, "SDA Bible Com-
mentary," Vol. 6, p. 1093.
97
The Gift of Immortality
LESSON 12
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed,
FROM DEATH
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
TO LIFE trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality.
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorrup-
tion, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then
shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death
1 Cor. 15:51-54 is swallowed up in victory."
This is the end of the corruptible life that men have always
known. This is the moment when the universe is restored to
God's control and eternity is ushered in for all those who have
gained the "victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor.
15:57.
What is the signal for the dead to be raised? Verse 52.
The trumpet will announce Christ's coming as it did His
appearance at Sinai. See Ex. 19:16 and Matt. 24:31. "The
sound of a trumpet summoned Israel to meet with God. The
voice of the Archangel and the trump of God shall summon,
from the whole earth, both the living and the dead to the
presence of their
Judge."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 339.
"Put on" (verse 54) is a metaphor which refers to clothing.
It is also used in 2 Cor.
5:2:
"We groan, earnestly desiring to
be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven." The
kind of flesh and blood we now know are to be replaced by
immortal, incorruptible bodies. Each of the redeemed will re-
tain his own personal identity. See
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 332, 361;
Testimonies,
Vol. 2, pp. 266, 267;
The Desire
of Ages,
page 804.
THINK IT THROUGH What Old Testament prophecy will be fulfilled at this
time? Isa. 25:8.
"Not until the personal advent of
Christ can His people receive the king-
dom. . . . We have seen by the scrip-
tures just given [1 Cor. 15:51-54;
1 Thess. 4:16, 17] that when the Son
of man comes, the dead are raised in-
corruptible and the living are changed.
By this great change they are prepared
to receive the kingdom; for Paul says:
'Flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; neither doth corrup-
tion inherit incorruption.' 1 Corinthians
98
15:50. Man in his present state is mor-
tal, corruptible; but the kingdom of
God will be incorruptible, enduring for-
ever. Therefore man in his present state
cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
But when Jesus comes, He confers im-
mortality upon His people; and then He
calls them to inherit the kingdom of
which they have hitherto been only
heirs."—"The Great Controversy," pages
322, 323.
The Gift of Immortality
LESSON 12
❑
Friday
Part 6
"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear
as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of
TOKENS OF the Lamb.
IMMORTALITY
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of
the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve
manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and
the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the na-
Rev. 22:1, 2 tions."
There was such a tree in the Garden of Eden which pos-
sessed a supernatural quality. With continued access to it man
would have lived forever, for its fruit perpetuated life. Because
of their disobedience Adam and Eve were no longer allowed to
stay in the garden, and that beautiful tree which held the key
to immortality was forbidden to the children of men. Later
God "transplanted the tree of life to the Paradise above,"
where it will remain with the saints throughout eternity as a
token of life everlasting. See
Testimonies,
Vol. 8, p. 288.
What special function is performed by the tree of life?
Verse 2, last part.
There is an interesting use of the phrase "leaves of the tree"
in the
The Ministry of Healing,
page 122: "It is in these prom-
ises [in God's Word] that Christ communicates to us His grace
and power. They are leaves from that tree -which is 'for the
healing of the nations.' . . . Received, assimilated, they are to
be the strength of the character, the inspiration and suste-
nance of the life. Nothing else can have such healing power.
Nothing besides can impart the courage and faith which give
vital energy to the whole being."
What other tokens of immortality will be found in the
new earth? Rev. 22:1, 3.
THINK IT THROUGH Why will sin never arise the second time?
"In the midst of Eden grew the tree
of life, whose fruit had the power of
perpetuating life. Had Adam remained
obedient to God, he would have con-
tinued to enjoy free access to this tree
and would have lived forever. But
when he sinned he was cut off from
partaking of the tree of life, and he
became subject to death."—"The Great
Controversy," pages 532, 533.
"In the Bible the inheritance of the
saved is called 'a country.' . . . There
the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock
to fountains of living waters. The tree
of life yields its fruit every month, and
the leaves of the tree are for the service
of the nations. . . . On those peaceful
plains, beside those living streams,
God's people, so long pilgrims and
wanderers, shall find a home."—"Ibid.,"
p. 675.
99
The Gift of Immortality
LESSON 12
Part 7 '
0
' SUMMARY QUESTIONS '
0
' A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
The plan of salvation was decided upon: (A) before the creation of
this world; (B) just after Adam and Eve fell; (C) at the giving of the law
at Mount Sinai; (D) just before Christ was born
2.
What event assured the resurrection of the righteous)
3.
Complete: "And this is life eternal, that they might
the only true God, and
whom Thou
hast sent."
4.
True or False: The believer may begin to enjoy life that is eternal in
quality right here and now
5.
Complete: "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all
but we shall all be
6.
What three tokens of immortality will be found in the new earth?
1.
2
3
THE SECOND MILE
0 DAILY STUDY HELPS
S
"The Desire of Ages," pages 527-530.
M
"The Desire of Ages," pages 779-787.
T
"Steps to Christ," pages 57-65. ("The Test of Discipleship.")
W
"Testimonies," Vol. 1, pp. 58-61.
"The Great Controversy," pages 644-647.
"Early Writings," pages 285-289.
TOO ;o
0110110
4
033 jo lama
;o
9511
(9) !pa2welp
'claals
(g) :anay
(v)
snsaf `994,1, AtouN (E) :4spti3 jo uoR3a.unsai atu (z)
v
(I) :sianrksuy
100
THE KINGDOM OF GLORY
13
"Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Matt. 25:34.
The word "kingdom" is used with a va-
riety of meanings in the New Testament in
such expressions as "kingdom of Christ,"
"kingdom of God," "kingdom of heaven,"
"kingdom of glory." The meaning must be
determined by the context. In this lesson
the general meaning is the kingdom as the
future home of the saints. It is hoped that
the student will reconsecrate his life to the
task of preparing for citizenship in that
eternal kingdom.
KEY THOUGHTS
1.
The Kingdoms of Grace and Glory.
The kingdom of grace is preparatory to the
eternal kingdom of glory. Christ officiates
as Priest-King of the one, and as King of
kings in the other. Under the kingdom of
grace we are justified and sanctified; in the
kingdom of glory we are glorified. Under
the one we prepare for heaven; under the
other we enter heaven. Under the one we
receive conditional immortality ; under the
other we are immortalized.
2.
Christ as King of Kings.
Rev. 19:16.
This title is also used of the Father in
1 Tim. 6:15. It is also used of Christ as He
comes forth to take possession of the king-
dom of this world (Rev. 11:15; 19:16),
and may be considered His official title as
King of the kingdom of glory.
3.
The Throne of His Glory.
Matt. 25:
31. In times eternal Father and Son shared
the throne of the universe.
Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 36. At the incarnation the
Son voluntarily stepped down from the
throne of the universe and gave back the
scepter into the Father's hands.
The Desire
of Ages,
pages 22, 23. At the ascension the
Son was enthroned with the Father upon
His throne. Rev. 3:21. Upon His return to
earth He will be seated upon the throne
of His own glory. Matt. 25:31.
LESSON OUTLINE
1.
Inauguration of the Kingdom
Rev. 19:11-13, 16
2.
The King and His Subjects
Matt. 25:31-34
3.
Entrance Requirements
2 Peter 1:10, 11
4.
The Fate of the Wicked
Matt. 13:40-43
5.
No More Sin
Rev. 21:2-4, 27
6.
Endless Life in a Perfect World
Rev. 22:3-5
101
The Kingdom of Glory
LESSON 13
❑
Sunday
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;
and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
"His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head
were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no
man knew, but He Himself.
"And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:
and His name is called The Word of God."
"And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name
written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
When the Son of man with all His angels appears in the
heavens sitting "upon the throne of His glory" (Matt. 25:31),
then shall be ushered in the great kingdom of glory. This event
is dramatically described in the passage above. Christ is seen
descending from heaven in power and majesty as the King
of kings coming forth to deliver His people from those who are
trying to destroy them. See
The Great Controversy,
page 641.
He rides upon a white horse and has been given the title
"Faithful and True." His eyes of flame, His crown, and the
blood-tinged vesture single Him out as the Leader of the heav-
enly host. He is called "The Word of God." "Jesus rides forth
as a mighty conqueror. . . . And 'the armies which were in
heaven, . . . follow Him. . . . No crown of thorns now mars
that sacred head; but a diadem of glory rests on His holy
brow."—The
Great Controversy,
page 641.
What three titles describe the character and majesty of
Christ? Verses 11, 13, 16.
What proclamation announces the establishment of the
kingdom? Rev. 11:15, 17.
Part 1
INAUGURATION
OF THE
KINGDOM
Rev. 19:11-13, 16
THINK IT THROUGH What other titles can you think of that describe the char-
acter of Christ?
"As used in the Bible, the expression
'kingdom of God' is employed to des-
ignate both the kingdom of grace and
the kingdom of glory. The kingdom of
Epistle to the Hebrews. . . . The throne
of grace represents the kingdom of
grace; for the existence of a throne
implies the existence of a kingdom....
102
"So the throne of glory represents
the kingdom of glory; and this king-
dom is referred to in the Saviour's
words. . . . Matthew
25: 31,
32. This
kingdom is yet future. It is not to
be set up until the second advent
of Christ."—"The Great Controversy,"
page 347.
The Kingdom of Glory
LESSON 13
0 Monday
Part 2
"When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and
all the holy angels with; Him, then shall He sit upon the
THE KING AND throne of His glory:
HIS SUBJECTS
"And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and
He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd
divideth his sheep from the goats:
"And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the
goats on the left.
"Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand,
Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom pre-
Matt. 25:31-34 pared for you from the foundation of the world."
The throne on which Christ sits is called both "the throne
of His glory" (verse 31) and "the throne of grace" (Heb.
4:16). The King of grace is also the King of glory, since He
is the dispenser of grace and also the executor of judgment.
With what gracious invitation will the King of glory wel-
come His subjects to their eternal home? Matt. 25:34.
Notice that the saints are called "ye blessed of My Father."
When Jesus promised a heavenly abode to His followers, He
spoke of it as His "Father's house" (John 14:2), and as the
"kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43). It was not to come
by gradual progress, but suddenly, by a breaking in pieces of
earthly kingdoms. Dan. 2:31-43. It would last forever (Dan.
2 :44), and the redeemed would be with their Redeemer for-
ever. 1 Thess. 4:17. The saints are then nevermore to be sep-
arated from the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. See
Early
Writings,
page 110.
What honor will the saints have in the eternal kingdom?
Rev. 22:5; Matt. 13:43.
THINK IT THROUGH What now seems to be the greatest joy that awaits you
in the new kingdom?
"With unutterable love, Jesus wel-
comes His faithful ones to the joy of
their Lord. The Saviour's joy is in see-
ing, in the kingdom of glory, the souls
that have been saved by His agony
and humiliation. And the redeemed will
be sharers in His joy, as they behold,
among the blessed, those who have
been won to Christ through their
prayers, their labors, and their loving
sacrifice. As they gather about the great
white throne, gladness unspeakable
will fill their hearts, when they behold
those whom they have won for Christ,
and see that one has gained others,
and these still others, all brought into
the haven of rest, there to lay their
crowns at Jesus' feet and praise Him
through the endless cycles of eternity."
—"The Great Controversy," page 647.
103
The Kingdom of Glory
LESSON 13
❑
Tuesday
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to
make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these
things, ye shall never fall:
"For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ."
The RSV translates the words "give diligence" as "be the
more zealous." Diligence is often used in the Bible in connec-
tion with a saintly endeavor to do God's will. In Gal. 2:10 the
KJV speaks of forwardness in remembering the poor. In Eph.
4:3 it is rendered "endeavoring" in connection with keeping
"the unity of the spirit." In 2 Peter 3:14 it is applied to those
who should be "diligent" in seeking to be at peace with God
"without spot, and blameless."
How can we be diligent in seeking blamelessness? "As your
soul yearns after God, you will find more and still more of
the unsearchable riches of His grace. As you contemplate these
riches you will come into possession of them and will reveal
the merits of the Saviour's sacrifice, the protection of His
righteousness, the fullness of His wisdom, and His power to
present you before the Father 'without spot, and blameless.' "
—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 567.
What reward awaits those who diligently seek to make
their calling and election sure? 2 Peter 1:11.
•
Through what experience will all pass who gain en-
trance to the kingdom of heaven? Acts 14:22; 2 Tim 2:12.
The word "suffer" in 2 Tim. 2:12 may be rendered "endure."
This is not referring to all forms of suffering, but suffering
"with Him," or for Christ's sake. See Rom. 8:17.
THINK IT THROUGH Who are accounted worthy to become heirs of the king-
dom God has promised? 2 Thess. 1:4, 5.
Faith and patience are rungs in the ladder of Christian
progress in 2 Peter 1:5-7. See
The Acts of the Apostles,
pages
530-532. Persecution is not to be sought; but when it comes
in the line of Christian duty, its severity becomes a means of
developing the Christian graces of patience and faith. That
is God's way of thwarting Satan's destructive designs. What
is intended as a hardship becomes a road to the kingdom.
Part 3
ENTRANCE
REQUIREMENTS
2 Peter 1:10, 11
"It is not possible for us to drift into
heaven. . . . If we do not strive to
gain an entrance into the kingdom, if
we do not seek earnestly to learn what
constitutes its laws, we are not fitted
for a part in it. Those who refuse to
104
cooperate with God on earth would not
cooperate with Him in heaven. It
would not be safe to take them to
heaven."—"Christ's Object Lessons,"
page 280.
The Kingdom of Glory
LESSON 13
❑
Wednesday
Part 4
THE FATE OF
THE WICKED
Matt. 13:40-43
"As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in
the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
"The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they
shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend,
and them which do iniquity;
"And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall
be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the
kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him
hear."
God will eventually destroy all those who endanger the lives
of the saints and the very existence of the universe. For this
reason the coming of Christ and the establishment of His king-
dom will be a time of joy for the saints but a time of great
"wailing and gnashing of teeth" for the wicked. God has suf-
fered long with sin. Now it is time that sin shall reign no
more. At the second coming the wrath of God shall be dis-
played "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know
not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ." 2 Thess. 1:8. Following the millennium the final de-
struction of the wicked will take place, when those who are
"not found written in the book of life" are "cast into the lake
of fire." Rev. 20:15.
What kind of people are found among the wicked? Rev.
21:8; 22:15. •
What vivid contrast is apparent between the fate of the
wicked and the reward of the righteous? Matt. 13:42, 43.
Like the glory that broke forth upon Jesus at the time of
His transfiguration (Matt. 17:2), so the saints will "shine
forth as the sun." See also Dan. 12:3. This is a glorious scene
—the final coronation and enthronement of Christ, the saints
shining as the sun and taking possession of the new earth—
but it will be marred by the fate of those who have refused
to respond to the love of God. See Rom. 2:4-6.
THINK IT THROUGH What privilege is granted the saints? Rev. 22:14.
"The sinner could not be happy in
God's presence; he would shrink from
the companionship of holy beings.
Could he be permitted to enter heaven,
it would have no joy for him. . . .
Heaven would be to him a place of
torture; he would long to be hidden
from Him who is its light, and the cen-
ter of its joy. It is no arbitrary decree
on the part of God that excludes the
wicked from heaven: they are shut out
by their own unfitness for its compan-
ionship."—"Steps to Christ," pages 17,
18.
105
The Kingdom of Glory
LESSON 13
❑
Thursday
Part 5
"And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, com-
ing down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride
NO MORE SIN adorned for her husband.
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will
dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God
Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the
former things are passed away."
"And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that
defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or
maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's
Rev. 21:2-4,27 book of life."
The Holy City comes "down from God out of heaven, pre-
pared as a bride adorned for her husband"; and, wonder of
wonders, God Himself will "dwell with them . . . and be their
God." All tears shall be wiped away, and "there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there
be any more pain." How can this be? The answer is given
at the end of verse 4: "For the former things are passed
away." The curse has been removed, and sin shall be no more.
The eradication of sin is seen in the absence of death (1 Cor.
15:55, 56), as well as the strong evidence of Rev. 21:8; 22:3.
All earthly kingdoms have been destroyed and replaced by the
kingdom of glory. This kingdom will be everlasting because
of its sinlessness and the added gift of immortality which has
been given to its inhabitants. See Dan. 2:44. This is the land
of perfection longed for, dreamed of, and sought by the faith-
ful in every age.
Who only will be granted the privilege of entering the
Holy City? Rev. 21:27.
THINK IT THROUGH Will life in a sinless world be as exciting and rewarding
as life on this earth?
"There, immortal minds will contem-
plate with never-failing delight the
wonders of creative power, the mys-
teries of redeeming love. There will be
no cruel, deceiving foe to tempt to
forgetfulness of God. Every faculty will
be developed, every capacity increased.
The acquirement of knowledge will not
weary the mind or exhaust the ener-
106
gies. There the grandest enterprises
may be carried forward, the loftiest
aspirations reached, the highest ambi-
tions realized; and still there will arise
new heights to surmount, new wonders
to admire, new truths to comprehend,
fresh objects to call forth the powers
of mind and soul and body."—"The
Great Controversy," page 677.
The Kingdom of Glory
LESSON 13
El Friday
Part 6
"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of
God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants
ENDLESS LIFE IN shall serve Him:
A PERFECT WORLD
"And they shall see His face; and His name shall be
in their foreheads.
"And there shall be no night there; and they need no
candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth
Rev. 22:3-5 them light: and they shall reign forever and ever."
One of the glorious privileges of the saints in the new earth
will be to live in the presence of God Himself. "The throne
of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; . . . and they shall see
His face." This reunion is brought about by the removal of
the curse that came upon this earth as a result of sin. Christ
"redeemed us from the curse . . . , being made a curse for
us." Gal. 3:13. The universe now beholds the full significance
of what Christ accomplished at Calvary. The saints are wel-
comed to the New Jerusalem, and they shall reign in glorious
union with God and with Jesus Christ.
For how long will this condition continue? Rev. 22:5. See
also Rev. 11:5.
What does Peter say of the stability of Christ's glorious
kingdom? 2 Peter 1:11.
The Greek word
aiOnios,
which in 2 Peter 1:11 is translated
"everlasting," actually means "eternal" and has a wider mean-
ing than just everlasting time. For instance, the eternal king-
dom includes all the world (Rev. 11:15) which "the prince
of this world" once ruled. The eternal kingdom is a kingdom
of righteousness, glory, and peace, and will transcend time and
space.
THINK IT THROUGH Am I prepared at this moment to be a citizen of that new
kingdom?
"The great controversy is ended. Sin
and sinners are no more. The entire
universe is clean. One pulse of harmony
and gladness beats through the vast
creation. From Him who created all,
flow life and light and gladness,
throughout the realms of illimitable
space. From the minutest atom to the
greatest world, all things, animate and
inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty
and perfect joy, declare that God is
love."—"The Great Controversy," page
678.
"And the years of eternity, as they
roll, will bring richer and still more
glorious revelations of God and of
Christ. As knowledge is progressive,
so will love, reverence, and happiness
increase. The more men learn of God,
the greater will be their admiration
of His character."—"Ibid."
107
The Kingdom of Glory
LESSON 13
Part 7
0
SUMMARY QUESTIONS
0
A TEST OF YOUR STUDY POWER
1.
What event marks the establishment of the kingdom of glory)
2.
The final destruction of the wicked will take place (A) at the second
coming; (B) during the millenium; (C) just before the New Jerusalem
descends; (D) after the New Jerusalem descends
3.
Complete: "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make
your
and
sure."
4.
When will the text be fulfilled that says, "God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying"? (A) at the second coming; (B) when the saints arrive in heaven;
(C) during the millenium; (D) after the descent of the New Jerusa-
lem.
5.
Complete: "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may
have right to the
6.
True or False: Sin will never again arise after the final destruction of
the wicked
THE SECOND MILE 0 DAILY STUDY HELPS
t
S
"Thoughts From
the
Mount
of Blessing," pages 107-109. (1943 ed.,
pages 159, 160.)
M
"The Great Controversy," pages 647-652.
T
"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 280-283. (1923 ed., pages 282-285.)
W
"The Great Controversy," pages
666-673.
T
"Education," pages
301-309.
P
"The Great Controversy," pages 674-678.
-anal (9)
°J11
Jo a0.11
(9)
a
(t) uolpap
`211
!Ile
3
(E) !(:( (Z) :21rituoa
puoaas (T) :siamsod
108
Keep in the Picture!
PERIODICAL
DEPARTMENT
gtudiod Your Lesson?
ORDER TODAY FROM YOUR LAY ACTIVITIES
SECRETARY OR BOOK AND BIBLE HOUSE
A
B
B
H
S
T
O
H
H
E
L
E
R
E
0
N
E
$1.50 per quarter
1970 first
quarter edition
first issue available
?We
New Model
Is Easy
to Spot !
TEACHER'S EDITION OF THE
SENIOR SABBATH
scHool.
LESSON QUARTERLY for 1970
*
New
format includes Bible texts printed in
various versions
*
Loose-leaf form for three-ring binder
*
192 pages instead of present 96 pages
(48 of which ore blank)
*
Teaching aids on page opposite to lesson
material
*
New price $5.50 for a one-year subscrip-
tion
Order NOW from your church
ay Activities
Secretary or Book and Bible Haute
Thirteenth Sabbath Offering
MARCH 28, 1970 • NORTHERN EUROPEAN DIVISION
The Northern European Division is a far-flung one, embrac-
ing 120 million people in eight countries of Europe, 80 million peo-
ple in nine countries some 3,000 miles away in West Africa, and a
further 23 million in modern Ethiopia 2,000 miles across the con-
tinent and still proud to be remembered as the ancient land of the
Queen of Sheba. A project in each of these areas will benefit from
the warm-hearted giving of God's people around .the world.
The new Empress Zauditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, will receive one third of the overflow from the Thirteenth
Sabbath Offering. To what Sabbath School members will give on
March 28 will be added the help in many forms that has come from
all sides: from His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie, from
the public of Addis Ababa, from funds of the hospital itself, and
from the General Conference and the division. A well-planned hos-
pital building will stand as another monument to the fine medical
ministry of this church and its devoted workers.
The opening of work in the unentered land of the Republic of
Upper Volta, in West Africa, is another project to benefit from the
overflow.
The third project to benefit from the overflow is our training
school in Poland. Its facilities are limited, and there are a thousand
urgent needs if this little institution is to fulfill its purpose in train-
ing men and women to carry the message to Poland's 32 million
people.
Lessons for the Second Quarter of 1970
Sabbath School members who have not received a senior
Lesson Quarterly
for the second quarter of 1970 will be
helped by the following outline in studying for the first les-
son. The title of the series is "Stories of the Master Teacher."
The title of the first lesson is "Heaven's Search and Rescue."
The memory verse is Luke 19:10.
The outline is as follows: 1. God's Seeking Love. Luke
15:3, 4. 2. The Ideal Shepherd. John 10:9, 11, 12. 3. The
Lost Dowry. Luke 1.5:8-10. 4. Death of a Prodigal. Luke
15:11-13. 5. Life of a Prodigal. Luke 15:14-24. 6. How Good
Was He? Luke 15:25-32.
MORTHERM EUROPIUM IDIVISOOM
FIRST MISSION STATION
IN UPPER VOLTA
OUAGADOUGOU
ADDIS ABABA
EMPRESS ZAUDITU
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
ETHIOPIA
Union
•
Population
Church
Churches Members
Sab. Sch.
Members
British U. C.
55223220
130
11,666
11,860
Ethiopian U. M.
23,500.000
34
11.025
9,210
Finland U. C.
4,300.000
50
5.137
4,588
Netherlands U. C.
12,000,000
45
3221
2,588
Polish U. C.
32,000,000
68
3,961
5,932
Swedish U. C.
7,976,978
65
3,798
3,549
West African U. M.
76,779,194
289
41,948
85,549
West Nordic U. C
8,348.241
130
9,402
8.038
Iceland C.
199,920
8
461
589
Greenland M.
37.368
1
10 10
Division Totals
220.364.921
820
90,629
131,913
WARSAW
®
POLISH SPIRITUAL SEMINARY
PODKOWA LESNA